Hmmm, I wonder if “The Chalice” will be putting together his own team to counter Boss Tracy’s organization? After all, he does have his own kids and brothers. Flat Top Jr. in the traditional Junior role. Angel Top filling in for Liz?
I wonder if this a “flashback” story from before the time when Sam started working with Tracy? Sam did have a career and this could have been an undercover assignment.
Fantastic family moment in the classic Gould style! This is one of the best strips since Staton and Curtis took over, and there is plenty of competition in that category!
Ghote “going to lunch” may be more than getting his orders. As you speculated above, this may be a fake, with the original being dead. It may be that the fake stepped out to “set his face” before it started sagging. In other words, the fake Ghote is Puttypuss!
Hmm, I don’t recall anyone calling Mel Torme that.