Endtown by Aaron Neathery for December 27, 2013

As our pair climbs deep into the sewerHolly’s past might be coming back to herHer strange history grimMay have happened to themBlasting Albion West to manureHolly saw her own city destroyedAnd the missing Lynn, left as a voidWhat’s to happen here now?Does someone yet live? How?(And Prof Mallard will sure be annoyed)=|====/ Level HeadVote for Endtown 2.0And for Doc Rat, tooThe Endtown ForumThe Endtown AuctionThe Endtown Books

The Topsiders may have captured and interrogated one of the scouts.

Fire and scorch marks on the houses; blood, claw marks and Topsider symbols at street level. I’m thinking “termites”.

Or possibly “just” an out of control fire made this place uninhabited and uninhabitable, and the foyer is a distraction to keep future missions out. Large parts of New Orleans were burned to the ground many times in the past. The trick is to pick yourself up again and again and rebuild.It is possible Albion West has their own set of dittos, and they don’t recognise Wally’s dittos because they are in their own hive mentality. Much like the dittos running the Opabinia Queen did not recognise Aaron Marx’s dittos and tried to assimilate some of them.Neither option accounts for the sounds of running water and a generator. Did either option allow for running water or a generator? We didn’t know where the canals in ENDTOWN went, just that Oscar prevented someone from being washed away. Washed away to where. I you are swimming in a strong current, one would have to be an incredible swimmer to un-pin themselves from a grate or log or other obstacle.Who keeps the generator running, and maintained and fueled? I suspect this first level, which would be security rat level in Endtown, whether accidentally or purposefully burnt, is left this way to keep Topsiders, with their fear of a compromised suit, far away. I thought someone had already said it was still worth a look. This may be a warning to Holly and Wally to see the necessity of Security Rats and Mutants to live together in perfect harmony, or at the very least contrapuntal, or syncopated harmony. The Albion Westers may have a problem like Holly and Wally left, and in this case, destroyed the Security Rats, and now have to hide differently. The TopSiders may not have done this.I’d like to read other possibilities. Hey, it’s the weekend, and thinking about Endtown may be the perfect respite for all the hectic activities of the Christmas to New Year to Twelfth Night(Epiphany…Shepherds show up) to Mardi Gras season. Hey, Louisiana has its challenges. You try partying and costuming and parading and eating and dancing from Thanksgiving to Mid March, it thereabouts. I think Lent caught on because it gave people a chance to rest.Happy New Year to all. Resolve to support our favorite cartoonists, Aaron and Jenner, with votes, moral financial and emotional support and to treat everyone as well as we can. REMEMBER TO VOTE Vote ENDTOWN Vote Doc Rat Vote Hubris Vote Kevin and Kell Buy a Print and or Donate .

To buy prints, or commission special pieces of art contact:

aaronneathery@gmail.com

Sincerely, .

JusSayin

Lessee if this works:

Louisiana 1927 by Randy Newman

“MICE!” – W. C. Fields

I doubt if this was set up to keep TSers away, esp with their zero weaponry. Besides, the sound of a generator would piqued their curiosity. That being said, would discount another ditto hive theory. The key is the generator. My guess it was an internal situation. If there are more levels below, the answers will be there. This would have to be very current. Otherwise Doc Mallard would’ve been aware and warned our happy duo.Just wondering, where did Wally get that gun? Rats only gave him one grenade, never a sidearm

Lights are on and a generator is humming…so either it just happened or there’s a survivor or two somewhere down there…

I believe that this is all there is to West Alboin. The deciding thing is Wally’s “Oh… no…”, he has been here before and knows it well enough to be aware of its situation. If he sees this and thinks the settlement is toast, than he is probably right.

I gather the dittoes keep Wally (and Holly) invisible…but what about sound? Can the dittoes keep anyone from hearing them?

The generator’s operating: the lights are on. I think we’ll find 1 to 5 lone survivors.

" Something went wrong, something went very wrong. I don’t think this is Tsider related, but it looks like everyone’s dead…" I agree this may not be TopSider related. If Endtown was one of the better equipped facilities, Albion West may have reached population critical mass earlier, and had some sort of Civil War for control. Endtown came very close to Civil War, and our hero and heroine left, not knowing the direction actions in Endtown may have take. I do believe they will find someone, or some method of communication here in Albion West. I think we need someone to advance the story, but Aaron may have other plans, and it is his story. For a very, very substantial donation he may name a character for you, but I don’t think he would change the story. I trust Jenner’s statement some time ago that Aaron has this story mapped out.At Everyone Remember to support our favorite ’toonsmith with DONATIONS if possible and votes. Again do not hurt yourself overdonating, but if you are truly financially blessed, do not hurt yourself by being uncharitable.Sincerely & Respectfully, JusSayin

We are receiving great value in the form of this strip, so uncharitable is not the best word. It is not charity to spend $300 for a ticket to a U2 concert, it is not charity to send Aaron money, unless you wanna send him a couple of hundred dollars for medical assistance. Only send him hundreds of dollars if it does not hurt you and or those dependent upon you.

Thank You for Your Consideration.Really and Truly, JusSayinPS: Has everyone noticed Selina Eubanks, the greytone artist is back in the gutter? Wait, that doesn’t sound right. Selina’s name is credited in the blank space between Panel1,and Panel2. I understand the blank space between panels is called the gutter.Everyone wave thanks to Selina for helping Aaron.JusBlushin

Hard to make an fully intel on just one look at burned out. There are could be other areas still functional. The water is clean. Thirst wouldn’t be their problem. Could Wally ask the dittos to lead him to life?Blessed Be

Watch out, Wally, a huge rolling ball of stone is about to head your way!

sorry but he does remind me of Indiana Jones..

Very clever narrative device, Mr Neathery. Wally is describing verbally to Holly what he can see, hear and smell and what he is thinking. This informs us, the readers, without being obvious about it.

HiMyKeyboardIsStillBad.*MyMotherDiedOn*the27th.MySonHadEnoughMoneyToGetHerBurialClothes.ImSoGlad,DintwantJustThriftshop4her.LotsOnSale,DintHaveToSpendMuch!ImOutofPrintingInk,butIcanWriteHerObit.Longhand.Also,ThanksSelena!I*HopeWally&HollyFindPeopleThere.