Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for July 01, 2012
Transcript:
Stone Soup by Jan Eliot Wally: Val? RRRRRRRRR Wally: VAL?! RRRR Val: What's up? RUMBLE RUMBLE Wally: Lawn really got away from you, huh? Val: So, that's why you called me over?? To make fun of my out-of-control LAWN? Wally: Um... Val: I'm a single working mother!! I have no TIME! Between the job, kids, laundry and random medical emergencies, the LAWN might fall by the wayside! So unless you want to HELP - Wally: I, um...was GOING to offer to help. Andy and I could do it for you. Val: That would be great... Joan: Hey, Val? What's a 5-letter word for "sheepish"? Andy: Sheep! What a great idea for Aunt Val's yard!
Nah, the story is all in the panels. Wally looked like he was being too casual—-like he was just passing the time. (Leaning on the fence is a ‘visit’) And a single, working mom is going to be thinking first and foremost how overwhelmed she is…so his comment WOULD have sounded to her like a criticism. The woman barely has time to think. Wally COULD have simply spit out: “Hey Val! Allow me and Andy to help you with the lawn.” And btw, if Phil is supposed to be involved with Val, why isn’t he being a devoted boyfriend, and helping out with the ‘guy stuff’??