Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for September 02, 2020

“Silver Tongue” Jack scores with an allegory – A Tongue- Tied Bernice

you’re quite the guy, Jack

The words put into Luann’s mouth today belies all the excitement she showed at the prospect of Bernice moving in with her. The writer is surprisingly tone-deaf

Likely means more to Bern than Jack intended. ✨

Didn’t he get her a BOWL to put it in?

that’s a first Bernice actually lost the ability to speak that NEVER happens to her

One compliment, and she looks like she could barf.

Bernie – quit warming up the goldfish, they like the water to be cooler. Come to think of it, it looks like Bernie is about to boil over.

.

Hopefully, Bernie has a tank on hand with water that is already dechlorinated, a pump, a good filter (goldfish are really dirty fish), and they have to let the fish stay in the bag in the tank water so it can become closer to the tank’s temperature before dumping the goldfish in. Always better to discard the water in the bag from the pet shop tank.

Check out their eyes. Bernice’s eyes are rolling like a one-armed bandit in Las Vegas, and Luann’s eyes are green. Very, very green.

Jack is a creative person on how he expresses himself with words that resonates, especially with Bernice.

Luann – quiet and dull are not the same thing.

Luann what’s with the snarky comment.

I’m fairly sure I’ll get an argument here, but Luann doesn’t look at all upset at what’s happening. And in THAT spirit, so far, so good.

But, Bernice is falling like the proverbial “ton of bricks,” for what is probably just a friendly gesture from a kindhearted lovable everyday Joe.

Ah. But does Jack have any “feelings” for Bernice or is he just being “nice?” It seems pretty obvious Bernice has feelings for him. One way to find out. Do a “Piro” Bernice, and KISS Jack. Right now! On the lips. If you don’t feel anything, just excuse yourself and say “the devil made you do it,” or something. Hey, people used to get away with all kinds of stuff by saying that. Of course it was about 50 years ago, but I digress.

If nothing else Bernice, you will provided your “pal” Luann with a much needed barrel of laughs. So be of good cheer. And then, go put your fish in a bowl. ;)

Luann can’t figure out this would be a good time to leave these two alone.

Hit the Rhodes Scholar, Jack.

Nobody’s commented on Jack buying Bernice a fish that reminds him of her – a “fantail”?

I’m not sure it’s a compliment. ;-)

A little live theater here. Interesting to see how G & K might crank up the tension in the next couple of days.

Some people are just nice. Bernice should not jump to any wrong conclusions.

“Made me think of you: Unable to live very long in a plastic bag.”

Bernice couldn’t afford $3 for a goldfish up ’til now?

Aw, Bernice loves the goldfish!

Bern & Jack ..now that would be an interesting pairing….mmm

Jack is pulling the love trigger on a very vulnerable soul Bernice, even if it is not at all clear if he meant that, but then strait-laced Bernice does fall hard and fast, and this might be the hardest of all. What a rap the boy has “Kinda classy and quiet.” All in real Luannverse time before Luann. Will the nerdy girl and the sensitive jock type become a couple? Or are we just being jerked around artistically? I hope not because I don’t want to see Bernice crushed, I think Luann would be surprised if it happened though. Not jealous, maybe envious. But if it doesn’t what kind of friend would she be?

Luann’s Loyal Fans: Your beloved Luann being snarky here. Bernice Haters: Luann being snarky here – yep. Even nice people like Jack and Luann cold snark as well as anybody. Luann – it is YOU who is boring. Jack chatted with Bernice while you wasted time trying to play fetch with Puddles. Jack found her interesting and definitely not boring. You are such a simpleton, Luann. Bernice is quiet because she is a thinker and uses her time well to say things that matter or have substance. Unlike you who yak and yak about nothing. Talk to fill up dead air. Like Bernice at the end of your bed reading or listening to music while you yak. Then she snarks and you go quiet. Yep. That.

“Made me think of you: kinda classy and quiet. And it was trying to dominate all the other fish in the tank, by snapping at them when they wouldn’t swim in formation.”

Bernice! Snap out of it! You’re gonna drop the goldfish!

……..When “cool” gets “heat” applied..

Well its probably the first time in her life that Bernice has been told she is classy. She probably thinks Jack is cute and is used to guys who she thinks are cute never saying anything remotely nice to her in recent memory as Piro was definitely a man of few words and although Gunnie definitely was attracted to her; she definitely never gave him a thought romantically. Its like the wallflower at the dance actually being invited to the dance floor. Luann is behaving well here, just making the obvious point that Bern is 180 degrees opposite of someone like wild child Tara, while dull is not the nicest thing to say, she isn’t acting upset or jealous either…….

Ew, Luann. That was kind of rude.

Bernice doesn’t know guys and she doesn’t know nice. Jack has developed from the jock, maybe both girls can begin to mature.

Seems a lot side, snide comments since the dog park. Jack & Bern whispering about Luann. Today Jack whispering about Bern.

Is Bern biting her lip or about to throw up? Hard to tell… :D

Just wondering…….are they in the process of finding “life partners” for all the main characters before retiring the strip? In which case, is Quill about to return?

Fantail. Made me think of you. Nice back end?…no…can’t say that…

Oooooo !!!! Ido believe Luann is jealous!!!!

The running back for Team Rocket got down to the one yard line and then fumbled the football back to Team Blue. They were so close to scoring, we’ll just have to see if Team Blue can take advantage of this opportunity.

Is Bernice about to burst out laughing at the “classy and quiet” remark? Or burst into tears because she’s touched that Jack sees the positiveness of her inner character? Damn, now i have to stay tuned!

I have heard and seen (real life ) youth is wasted on the wrong people , but She may be a slow starter , and a big finisher , kissing wise . we shall see.

First panel is adorable.

That little fishy is so cute.

Bernice; aren’t you laying it on a bit thick? Haven’t you learned anything from hanging around Luann, Tiffany, and, the rest of the gang? Yes, the goldfish is a nice pet for you. Relatively low maintenance, relatively easily transportable. But, unless this goldfish is several steps up from the type you can win at a carnival, your thanks in the first panel, was just a “little” over the top.

Bernice looks like she’s about to explode. I don’t know if it’s because this is the first time a guy has complimented her on her looks and she doesn’t know how to react or if for anything else. But this is good. Finally Bernice doesn’t know what to say♡. She, who always has a comment ready for everyone! Luann is enjoying the scene.

Bern is in love with Jack

Yup. Bernice is smitten.

Many of us saw this coming, as this arc started. I’m a bit disappointed, since I had forecast Lu-Jack previously. Gonna get interesting from here.

Jack is a great catch for the first smartest girl to know that.

Now Bernice just needs a 10 or 15 gallon tank along with some crushed rocks and a filter. Make sure the rocks are fish safe and don’t have toxic chemicals on them. Goldfish swallow rocks and use them to help grind up food in their stomachs since they don’t have teeth. Also use lemon juice or white vinegar and water to clean the tank and then rinse well. Don’t use soap because if you don’t rinse it well enough the residual soap will kill the fish.

It’s great to see Bernice find a little bit of TLC (from a handsome guy, no less). I like where this is going..

And Luann loses another boyfriend due to her immaturity.

Awww.

You can HEAR the estrogen dripping.

I love a flustered Berenice!

After the bowling episode of May 13 thru 17, 2017, I doubt very much theat Jack “goes” for the classy, quiet type!?!?

What you tryin’ to pull GnK?

Luann, you have just officially become a Third Wheel. Roll along, now….

Well this is yet another example of Luann being just about the most obnoxious creep in comics. She implies to a possible romantic interest that her best friend of how many years is dull. Nice. It’s actually fun to watch her rude, insensitive, oblivious, dumb and self absorbed behavior remain so constant and predictable. If she turns this around and actually shows her friend some support and compassion I will be surprised.

Seems that Bernice doesn’t know what to say (other than “thank you”), judging from the way she seems to be biting her lip in the third panel.

One compliment and Bernice is speechless? While I don’t see a Jack-Bernice relationship blooming, I do see a good potential friendship. And, to be frank, Bernice needs good friendships to get her to loosen up. Bernice has been wound too tightly since entering college; first with the RA job then her one-sided crush on Piro (the moocher).

Bernice is not used to that kind of attention… although I think she deserves it. Hope it goes well.

Luann gets in her snark moment.

It’s nice isn’t it, Bernice, to know that your lifelong friend has your back?

Aw…. sweet. Seems Bernice is not used to receiving compliments or gifts. (Still wondering about her upbringing and family life). I’d like to see this friendship grow. It’s nice that Luann doesn’t seem upset or put out by his gesture. She seems comfortable in her friendship with Jack to expand his comment about Bernice. It’s obvious that Jack likes Bernice, and she likes him, but I hope this relationship grows slowly. I wouldn’t be surprised if Luann helps, rather than getting jealous. It’s time for her to grow up emotionally. Hope springs eternal! ;-)

You had your chance, Luann. Tough luck!

Way to get in a little insult on your friend. Luann, go away. You had your chance

What is Bernice thinking? About a fish bowl or Jack!

Berenice seems to be very flattered and flustered. She also looks interested in Jack! And Jack’s expression says that he is at least a little bit interested in HER! Luann, meanwhile, can’t resist the opportunity to get in a little dig at Bernice. I’m not sure if this is because Luann herself is interested in Jack or she just doesn’t like Berenice having Jack’s attention when she’s used to having him all to herself.

And by the way, before all the Luann haters start in on what a terrible person she is being, let me just say that Bernice has never missed an opportunity to get in a little dig (or two) at Luann’s expense.

And IBS hits Bern….NOW.

Nancy will help with all the goldfish’s needs. She will have had an aquarium in the attic since when she used to breed betas or something.

Bow sweet

Hey people. Do you want even MORE irony?

Well Jack wants to be a veterinarian, right?

Guess what? Bernice’s Ex-Boyfriend Zane ALSO wanted to be a veterinarian.

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2002/07/02

Small World, huh?

But a warning to the Jack/Bernice “shippers.” Bernice once came on too strong to Zane and ran him off.

Story here: https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2003/03/24

Not saying THAT will happen with Jack. But Bernice DOES have a history.

Bernice is gobsmacked. Don’t drop that goldfish!

Bernice is really NOT Jack’s type. They wouldn’t even be friends in real life.

She could say Thank You Jack.

Notice the bead of perspiration on Bernice’s forehead. The pressure is building!

A perfect example of the amnesia Mordock is always talking about, although he claims it only shows up in the female characters. Remember the bowling date when Jack accidentally broke Luann’s foot? Jack was going to carry her out, presumably to get her medical help, when Bernice came bursting over, being her usual bossy, obnoxious self, pushing Jack away, snapping: “NO! I’ll do it! You leave her alone!” then half strangling poor Luann as she dragged her out of the bowling ally.

Jack has obviously forgotten that incident if he is now referring to Bernice as “classy and quiet.”

Classy and quiet are not the top qualities men like Jack look for in a woman. Jack would be more interested in someone like Tara, outgoing and fun.

Maybe Jack is Superman in disguise. Look at his bang on the forehead.

I think I’m perceiving a sea change in the Luaniverse and its characters. Probably as a shift from Greg-based strips to Karen-based strips. ALL characters are to be accepted as presented NOW!

Luann, Bernice, Tiffany, Gunther, Les, Tom Ferrell, Mom and Dad DeGroot… Any character that has existed in the past, i.e., high school and beyond is to pay less attention to their past behaviors and attitudes and accept the NEW character at face value.

Smooth-As-Jack…leaving the young ladies speechless!

Maybe I am just off here, and I am different with my close friends. After reading so many comments here about how LuAnn isn’t a friend cause of her snarky comment or what Bern and Jack said at the dog park about Lu the snark is deserved … Bern and Lu are best friends, Lu and Jack are good friends. Friends talk crap about each other. They razz each other. Thats life, its what you do. You go walking with your friend, they fall down, you point at them, laugh your butt off at them, take a quick picture, call them stupid and then help them back up. Bern and Lu are best friends cause they accept each other and both can be their true selves around each other without having to worry.

I want Luann to end up with Jack.

Poor Bernice. At a loss for words.

Old Bernie is feeling a tingle.

Are there breeds of fish that aren’t quiet? Still, Jack succeeded in shutting Bernice up, and Luann is not acting overly possessive or jealous. I call that a win.

Why doesn’t anyone call me classy and quiet? Oh, yeah.

The words you are searching for are “Thank you”

I have a feeling that Bernice will take Jack’s gift the wrong way, he was just being very sweet and thoughtful

Hard to put down a compliment like that!

Children who are criticized grow up to criticize.Berns need to please by cooking breakfast, her inability to accept Jacks compliment, makes me think she was raised with insults.

Above, one of the commenters said it appears that Bernie is trying to suppress something, by her facial expressions.

.

Makes me wonder where Jack’s right hand is in the second panel. And, especially in the third panel…

Bernice’s “feelings” are that a nice looking guy has complimented her, and as she is actually shy, she doesn’t quite know how to react. If she had other feelings for him, she wouldn’t have sat on that park bench perfectly calm and talked to him without any sign of nervousness.

And Luann is fine with it because she showed months (or possibly years) ago that Jack is just a friend. Let the girls have friends, everything doesn’t have to be about romance.

One could surmise, metaphorically, that while smart Bernice can name all the pieces, cunning, clever Luann really knows her way around playing the game.

Hey Bernice — if you get to the store quick, you can score some recently-returned glow-in-the-dark panties…

’*** sploosh *

Please put the fish in an aquarium with room to swim and grow! Or a pond!

Now, we just need to find out what kind of Fish he thinks Luann is.