Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 11, 2018

Oh, won’t uncle Al like to hear what you’re up to, Leslie.

oooops

So we have to now assume Tom Farrell is as crooked as Ann is, if the fraud was not reported.

“Case 714…” Was this a reference to Dragnet badge 714? Or am I getting too obscure?

This just might give us an insight into Al’s character.

Notice the phone not in his hand. Les was doing a practice run.

Al Gray can stop him, and call the police directly instead.

Glad to see this arc headed towards an achingly slow conclusion.

Ah, now Uncle Al is involved. Perhaps HE will do something about it. Les was only going to impersonate an officer with nonexistent case number to rile up the women into action. Hopefully, Uncle Al will have a better plan….or will we find out he is a male version of Ann Eiffel? After all, they are siblings.

So instead of just giving the information to the real cops, who would put Ann in jail for her crimes, Les decides to play a trick on Ann by pretending to be a cop to the 73 victims of her fraud. And that’s how things are done in the Luann-verse, fans!

While the arc might be slowing coming to a conclusion, it really just will feed into other arcs, because each Luanniverse story is interconnected, like Local Galaxy groups into a whole network of related stories. I mean the Souffle story involved Ann, Bernice, Luann, Dev, Tara, of course Les, and Tiffany, and Tom Ferrell. There are subsidiary and related arcs out there just waiting to be connected to. Maybe even better would be like brain cells synapsing in some huge comic brain structure. And since brains made new information, now that Uncle Al becomes aware, a whole new arc, or a modification of this one is about to come about, maybe.

Misidentification as a law enforcement officer?

I hope my beloved Tiffany visits him in prison.

Illogical.

Wow. Les’ plan is to impersonate a policeman, which the last time I checked was against law, in order to get even with his own mother.

Les Knox, a criminal in his own right, about to turn RAT, in order to destroy his Tainted Mother. And He’s still Sullen and Angry to Boot!

I’m really beginning to LIKE this Creep, now.

By the way. I wonder if the Guest House Gulag is finished?

After confounding us about everything else, Greg finally tosses us a softball……“714”. Jack also made that Marine boot camp film, The D.I." still stiff as a board.

Not quite the way I was thinking uncle Al got involved but it works for me.

Uncle Am doesn’t allow Les to have the door closed when he beings a smartphone into his bedroom.

There’s no possible way THIS could go wrong!

It will be interesting to see if Al Gray believes Les (assuming Les tells him what that list is for)…

After a bit of reflection, and Al telling Les that he is committing a crime, Les goes ahead and starts calling…..

“…case #714—-”

And is interrupted by the woman on the other end,

“When did they change the case number?”

Les what are you thinking? Impersonating a police officer is so… If these women did contact the police after this, without a REAL investigation, it is going to look like a very petty prank from a sad, pathetic, very bitter child. These women talked to, liked and gave money to Ann. She can be quite personable when she chooses to be.

What will be interesting to see is Al’s reaction. I actually have faith in him. I believe he will handle the situation in his own way but I do not believe that way will involve the police. He I do know he is going to talk Les out of this idiotic plan of misrepresenting himself as a cop.

There’s a fine line between fishing on a boat and standing on the shore looking like an idiot… Raymond Reddington. I like seeing Les and Tiffany use their powers of evil for good, looking forward to the next few weeks.

Led obviously cares more about sticking it to his mom than seeing justice. But there are two points he didn’t consider. One, impersonating a police officer is a felony (I think. It seems more serious than a misdemeanor). And two, it would ruin any legitimate investigation. Meaning Led would be in trouble. While Ann would get away Scot free.And the real dad irony of this situation? Ann and Les’ late husband/father was a cop. Can you imagine how he would feel, seeing how his family turned out?

Well, this is an interesting turn of events. I was wondering whether Leslie wanted the guest list back to rat his mom out or to protect her. Wonder whose side Uncle Al is on?

No, Uncle Al, a lot of people already have her number. Especially those who she has p’d off along the way.

Today’s strip seemed to me like Les might be aiming to get all of Ann’s customers a refund – as opposed to having her arrested. If i were one of the customers, I’d rather get my money back than just hear about the sales agent going to jail. Often when someone is arrested, the ill gotten money is somewhere in limbo.

Can Sheriff show Les with a red cheek without getting in to trouble with CPS, PTA, DES, AFLCIO, TANSTAAFL, et al?

One, and only one, slap in the face would not be out of character for Al.

Enter Uncle Al. I am far from sure what his take will be on this. I remember Al ran nightclubs and the like. No way to do that for years without closing one or both eyes on occasion.

Impersonating an officer is itself a crime, and in particular, a variety of fraud. Les is about to fight crime by committing a more serious crime.

I think that Les is going though the whole list of 73 customers who bought knockoffs and to get them to get refund.

Why is he doing all this from the house??? He should’ve gone to some coffee shop or somewhere he wouldn’t be interrupted to call all the guests.

Les wants to make sure that all the ladies that bought the phony lingerie know to wash them on a gentle cycle so they do not fall apart. He wants them to get the maximum life out of their purchases. No unhappy customers while Les is around.

He left the door open. I think he wanted Al to hear the call.

The Big Al is the boss. Luckily, Leslie is his nephew, otherwise The Big Al would make it look like suicide.

Hmm, the last part of A. Eiffel’s phone number contains the consecutive numerals ‘666’ … as in REV. 13 v.16-18 …

Hey, Les – impersonating a law official is also a crime.

He should have just turned the information over to the cops, and alerted the legal team for the lingerie store and let them deal with it.

And I bet it turns out that Uncle Al was in on the scheme and is even more crooked than Ann.

First- Finally!M —r. Grey will hear the truth! Will he defend his sisters dishonor? or give Les good counsel to navigate him through this mess?

Second- Les is impersonating a police officer (Detective Webb.) thus committing a fraud that will land him in jail before his mom. His intention is noble, but he needs to be honest.

Les has an excellent role model in his uncle. A rich uncle who has laid a strong foundation when his model stripped him from anything moral and decent. I have always seen Mr. Grey as a character who is just “too good to be true.” Las Vegas can be a shady place to do business, and that is where he made his fortune.

Tomorrow—- We will see Mr. Grey’s true character.

Les hasn’t committed any crime YET. He’s NOT talking on the phone – the phone is still on the bed next to him – he’s reading his “script” to make sure it sounds good. Now all we need to hope is that Mr. Grey is really a “good guy”.

Hold up folks! As ElaineFisherManning says, he wasn’t on the phone yet! And, even if he were already on the phone, all he said was “Detect. Webb from the Anti-Fraud Division.” He didn’t mention the “agency.” It’s quite possible that it could be an Anti-Fraud division in a private investigation agency… not an official LE agency. So I’m not sure they could prosecute Les for “impersonating a LEO.” That said, it was pretty stupid of Les, and I’m sure Uncle Al will tear him a new one fore that. I think Les better start rehearsing something really good for Uncle Al, and pronto! Hopefully, Al will believe Les, but they do have a bit of history to get through before that may happen…. {Popcorn}

Thought the choice of names for the detective was interesting—Webb, as in Jack Webb, as in Dragnet.

And now, My Fellow, Gentle, Luannatics, We come to what will possibly be the “moment of truth.” The “End Game,” if you will. Les told Tiffany earlier this year that he didn’t want the Fuse involved in his mom’s “take down.”

Well, if Les tells Uncle Al, Celebrated Manager of the Fuse, "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, about what went on that night, then BINGO, The Fuse IS INVOLVED.

Then the Question is, what happens then? Will Al call the Cops, which I kinda don’t think is likely. Or will he handle the matter himself in his own inimitable style? And What will THAT entail?

I’m popping lots of popcorn and brewing plenty of COFFEE. This is about to get REALLY GOOD.

PS: I STILL Hope that when Al contacts Ann, she tells him that She And Tom are either Engaged or already Married. The only thing I like better than drinking COFFEE is watching a Car Wreck in slow motion…….., ;)

Les is looking “very” chipper this morning; assuming it’s morning. Because he is working on his plan? Or because of what happened last night?

Only MORDOCK999 knows! ;o)

JayBluE is not here yet, but I have the following:

“A Tangled Webb”

“Drag That Net Over Here”

“Schaden-Fraud”

“The story you are about to see is true (sorta). The names have been changed [by Les] to protect the innocent.” [The innocent doesn’t really mean Les, here, but you get the drift … or drag … or net … or whatever.] :)

7

Interesting turn of events. Tiffany gave the list to Les. But, it seems that Tiffany is sticking with her idea of “letting go” of the situation. That is very good for Tiffany. Now, Les is practicing his spiel for the lingerie ladies…. and Uncle Al hears….. and Les does not seem to mind that he does! So:

1. I am presuming Les is going to explain the whole thing to Uncle Al.

2. Uncle Al will convince Les that the phoning of the customers is wrong (either by reasoning, or dictating to Les…. not sure which).

3. We will now move into an arc where we get to peel back some of the secret machinations going on in Uncle Al’s mind and personality. Will he take the simple, legal route to fix this? Will he have some sort of “behind the scenes” plan to fix this himself? Will he not want to fix it and instead bury it for some future subterfuge? Will he actually be in on the scam and also be guilty?

This should be a pretty damn interesting week if it does focus on revealing more of ’ole Al!

Wow. I’m a little slow. Just realized that the possibility of no copy of the list, which I poopooed, may now be important. Oops.

katzpawz1a Thinks Uncle Al will do his “fixer” schtick and make this all go away.

It would be an easy out for GnK. Think they’ll take it?

BTW, in this case Uncle Al would NOT be a Deus Ex Machina! :o)

This practice session he seems to be taking on has Les’ voice sounding like “Joe Friday, Frank”the Prince" Tuesday, Chief Sarah Saturday, and even Mike “Manic” Monday….

“Hawaii 555-”

“Hello, Jenny? It’s Tommy Dialtone!” (♩)

“The Wreck Of The Dreamboat Annie” (♬/♬)

“Signal Transmitted….Message:  Deceived!?” (♩)

“Hello!?…Is It Her, You’re Looking For??….” (♪)

“Her Name Rings A Bell”

“The Telephone Game

or

“Reach Out And Tell On Someone”

What shakes out of this re Uncle Al could throw a monkey wrench in “the wedding,” the Gunther/Les step-siblingship, and the whole Gunther/Tiff/Les dynamic. HOLY MOLEY BATMAN!

The most interesting subtle tell in this strip is that Gray calls Eiffel “[his] sister,” not “[Knox’s] mother.” He is openly acknowledging Eiffel has done nothing in particular to be called Knox’s mother since giving birth to him.

Assuming it’s not because he came to announce that Eiffel is not actually Knox’s mother as believed. Highly unlikely, but I wonder.

By the by, for those who think Les is wearing a Bluetooth, I beg to differ. I think it’s one of those anachronistic lo-tech devices called a pencil!

Mr. Gray is going to mess everything up for Les!

If I got that phone call I would NOT call a criminal to take matters into my own hands. I’d call the police and tell them the name of the person who called me.

Will we see the many shades of Gray? Stay tooned.

This is better—finally an adult will be involved. As manager of the hub, Mr. Gray will want to clean up the mess. Will Les be compensated by having his mother’s debt forgiven? Will Ann have to leave? Covering up will not work well for his relationship with Gunther’s mom.

Hmm….will uncle give support with acutal law enforcement or will he just repremand his nephew for this plan? We shall find out soon.

And here we have Les trying to do the right thing the wrong way.

Uncle Al’s impeccable timing is exactly what’s needed right now. This matter is best settled through the proper channels.

This doesn’t seem to be a very well-thought-out plan. When Ann tells these women to go pound sand, won’t they come looking for the detective who sent them her way? And last I heard, impersonating an officer wasn’t looked very kindly upon, legally-speaking.

What will Uncle Al do? That is the question.

Uncle Al has interrupted Les “Joe Friday” Knox in the midst of his 73 phone calls attempting to get Annie Awful into the trouble she deserves. But where do Mr. Gray’s deepest loyalties lie? With his crooked sister? With Mrs. Berger? Probably not with Les….

I can see why Les doesn’t want his name associated with any complaint filed against Ann. There was a time when he was a willing accomplice and taking a cut of some of her profits. So if Ann gets in trouble she would just pull him down with her.

Knox is being a moron. If he wants to give the defrauded buyers a tip-off, impersonating a police officer is both illegal and wholly unnecessary. All he has to do is call himself “someone who knows the seller.” Childishly impersonating a fictional cop from fifty or sixty years ago is likely to get him…lots of hung-up phones.

What will Uncle Al do? Make Les an offer he can’t refuse.

How many of us would still recognize a given phone number?