Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

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May 5, 2026

Graded

by David M Willis on January 30, 2024 at 12:01 am
  • 02 – It's The Love I Haven't Got
└ Tags: danny, dorothy, jennifer, ruth, sal, walky

Discussion (167) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    January 30, 2024 at 12:01 am | #

    I mean, you DID join them, Dotty, it’s on you

    • anon
      anon
      January 30, 2024 at 12:34 am | #

      and comic timing being one of walky’s superpowers too 8D

  2. NGPZ
    NGPZ
    January 30, 2024 at 12:01 am | #

    *plays “Pokemon Dance Mix” on karaoke system*

    Poking on on on….

    Poking on on on….

    • Nono
      Nono
      January 30, 2024 at 12:06 am | #

      Nah it’s gotta be the Pokerap. Which is great since it tests Dorothy on her memory too.

      SO YOU WANNA BE A MASTER OF (POKÉMON!)

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        January 30, 2024 at 3:54 am | #

        He’s the leader of the bunch
        You know him well!

        • Devin
          Devin
          January 30, 2024 at 12:27 pm | #

          Thanks you just gave me flashbacks lol

          • Roborat
            Roborat
            January 31, 2024 at 3:40 pm | #

            On a related note, anyone tried Palworld out?

    • Marisa Mockery
      Marisa Mockery
      January 30, 2024 at 11:58 pm | #

      Aw hell yeah this is my shit man *dance raves*

  3. JA
    JA
    January 30, 2024 at 12:02 am | #

    /popcorn

  4. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    January 30, 2024 at 12:03 am | #

    I wonder if this will make Dorothy loosen up a little, since it’s at least diluting the awkwardness.

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      January 30, 2024 at 12:07 am | #

      Me too, and the fact that they both show up suggests that Danny will try to behave, but as I said before, I’m taking a big risk believing that Walky will at least listen to Dorothy correctly.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      January 30, 2024 at 5:43 pm | #

      Yes. Potentially loosen up like a catapult misfiring, but still

  5. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    January 30, 2024 at 12:03 am | #

    Geez this groups dating scene is like a snake eating itself.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      January 30, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

      It was called floorcest when I was in school.

    • Steelbright
      Steelbright
      January 30, 2024 at 12:35 am | #

      Definitely reminds me of a certain orbit of my high school friends when we’d all made it to college. It was complicated, but surprisingly not that awkward. We had a whole diagram.

      • Joe Helfrich
        Joe Helfrich
        January 30, 2024 at 4:30 am | #

        Also any LARP group that lasts longer than a year or two.

      • clif
        clif
        January 30, 2024 at 4:33 am | #

        Sounds like my SF group about 6 years in.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      January 30, 2024 at 3:55 am | #

      That sounds like it could be a book title…

  6. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    January 30, 2024 at 12:03 am | #

    I wonder if Joyce is gonna pop up at an inappropriate time too.

    • Mr. Random
      Mr. Random
      January 30, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

      Ooooh, switched to the exact Joe gravatar at this point for added effect!

    • David DeLaney
      David DeLaney
      January 30, 2024 at 12:37 am | #

      is that what the kids are calling it these days

      –Dave, “spung!”

    • Proxiehunter
      Proxiehunter
      January 30, 2024 at 2:40 am | #

      Then Dorothy’s future love life can be here too.

      • clif
        clif
        January 30, 2024 at 4:35 am | #

        You mean Sal?

        Tell me you mean Sal.

        • Thag Simmons
          Thag Simmons
          January 30, 2024 at 5:39 pm | #

          Alas, Sal is extremely straight

          • Aura
            Aura
            January 30, 2024 at 10:17 pm | #

            Poor Sal 🙁

    • Lan
      Lan
      January 30, 2024 at 7:51 am | #

      But imagine Joyce’s delight if she got a karaoke invite from Dorothy

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      January 30, 2024 at 12:06 pm | #

      Dorothy reacting to Joyce showing up would make 4-5 people in the room understand the source of half her angst. (Walky’s the maybe 5th).

  7. Jacob Crawford
    Jacob Crawford
    January 30, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    It might solve some problems if everyone in this room boned(with the obvious exception of the siblings

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      January 30, 2024 at 12:06 am | #

      “I mean, not David and Sally, obviously.”

    • bubba0077
      bubba0077
      January 30, 2024 at 12:08 am | #

      I’ve been on the internet before, it is not that obvious.

      • Uly
        Uly
        January 30, 2024 at 12:09 am | #

        Yes, haven’t we all heard of “twincest”?

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          January 30, 2024 at 3:56 am | #

          Is that what people mean when they tell someone to go fuck themselves?

          • clif
            clif
            January 30, 2024 at 4:39 am | #

            No, that’s one of the many benefits of short range gate technology.

            • Needfuldoer
              Needfuldoer
              January 30, 2024 at 6:12 am | #

              Now you’re thinking with portals!

          • shanunu
            shanunu
            January 30, 2024 at 7:01 am | #

            No that is specifically called “selfcest”

            • Mr. Random
              Mr. Random
              January 30, 2024 at 12:36 pm | #

              No, that’s when it’s a clone with your memories.
              What they’re describing is just masturbation with extra steps.

              • elebenty
                elebenty
                January 30, 2024 at 3:12 pm | #

                Ergo, in Sirksome’s comment above, the snake eating itself is simply… uh, pleased.

              • Thag Simmons
                Thag Simmons
                January 30, 2024 at 5:40 pm | #

                I don’t recommend that one either, fucking them is a great way to make your relationship with your identical duplicate even more awkward

  8. jeffepp
    jeffepp
    January 30, 2024 at 12:06 am | #

    Does this mean that Sal and Dottie are gonna make out?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      January 30, 2024 at 12:11 am | #

      Dorothy is both attracted to Walky and implicitly at least a little into girls, so she can indulge in both interests with Sal. Girl DOES love efficiency.

      • Dante
        Dante
        January 30, 2024 at 12:21 am | #

        MANIFESTING THIS INTO EXISTENCE (i know that Sal was said to be straight back when the story with Marcie happened but. I’m also praying it’s like Joyce’s straightness when Becky.)

      • Segnosaur
        Segnosaur
        January 30, 2024 at 12:53 am | #

        On the other hand, Dorothy was talking to Danny about the “Kinsey scale” (a measure of bisexual tendencies) she seemed to think she was basically a zero (indicating straight).

        https://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/kinsey/

        • John Campbell
          John Campbell
          January 30, 2024 at 1:36 am | #

          “… I dunno. Probably a zero, best as I can tell? I guess that estimate could change,” is not exactly a definitive statement. Especially given that she clearly wants to help Joyce with her laundry.

          • Mr D phone posting
            Mr D phone posting
            January 30, 2024 at 2:29 am | #

            It is more definitive a statement than “implicitly a little into girls”. I find that if someone states their preference, I’d rather believe them until they say or act otherwise.
            Like when Ethan finally realized he was gay in Shortpacked.

            • J.Gawain
              J.Gawain
              January 30, 2024 at 7:52 am | #

              I agree so far as real people go. If someone IRL tells you their sexuality (or gender for that matter), you should absolutely take them at their word, but I think part of the appeal of fiction is speculating about the story and characters. Could your speculations be wrong? Sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong or bad to think about.

            • Dot
              Dot
              January 30, 2024 at 4:42 pm | #

              This is a fine rule of thumb for real people but a little silly applied to fictional characters.

            • HueSatLight
              HueSatLight
              January 30, 2024 at 11:44 pm | #

              Can you see into people’s dreams in real life?

          • GUIGUI
            GUIGUI
            January 30, 2024 at 4:32 am | #

            It’s the kind of statement people who are open minded and have come to have a better understanding how those things tend to work make, because “you can never be 100% certain”, but if she says she is zero she definitely never felt any attraction for women.

            • Daibhid C
              Daibhid C
              January 30, 2024 at 5:11 am | #

              ..At that time.

              I’m not a huge supporter of the good ship Joycethy, but I definitely see how people can see it.

          • MM
            MM
            January 30, 2024 at 9:46 am | #

            Also, there’s this a few strips later: https://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/upended/

            • Null Set
              Null Set
              January 30, 2024 at 1:46 pm | #

              Alt text “Dorothy is a superheroromantic heterosexual”

        • Thag Simmons
          Thag Simmons
          January 30, 2024 at 5:46 pm | #

          I am not confident she would have the same self-assessment if asked at this point in the story.

    • anon
      anon
      January 30, 2024 at 12:37 am | #

      statistically i’m sure one college student there has dated someone and their siblign at some point

    • Dday
      Dday
      January 30, 2024 at 2:33 am | #

      “or otherwise”

  9. Warcodered
    Warcodered
    January 30, 2024 at 12:08 am | #

    Have to backtrack and double check but feels like Dorothy is really great at being right and wrong all at the same time.

    • Steelbright
      Steelbright
      January 30, 2024 at 12:31 am | #

      Haha you know that’s true, one of her great awful qualities

  10. Coatl
    Coatl
    January 30, 2024 at 12:08 am | #

    Alright, it’s happening, it’s now or never.

  11. Doopyboop
    Doopyboop
    January 30, 2024 at 12:09 am | #

    Honestly, if Ruth and Jennifer were doing it for themselves they’d be anywhere but a karaoke place. It’s a bit clumsy, but this IS for Dorothy. She’s just having a hard time accepting help because SHE’S the fixer, SHE doesn’t ever need fixing! (spoiler, she could use a bit of help)

    And in come both ex-boyfriends! Though at least she and Danny are on goodish terms. I do wonder, maybe Danny can help Dorothy with navigating what are CLEARLY just platonic feelings for her friend Joyce, much like how Danny was just really good buddies with Ethan and nothing more!

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      January 30, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

      I hadn’t thought of the parallels with Danny+Ethan before. I think you’ve got something there.

      • Dante
        Dante
        January 30, 2024 at 12:30 am | #

        Now it’s Dorothy the one steadily spiraling, and grieving the loss of someone she used to know: Herself.

        (DUN DUN DUN. Yeahhhh, I know – but it’s a real thing that happens, ok.)

        Danny and her lost contact because Dorothy was… Well, he was codependent, and she was condescending. But now he’s really come into his own :3 I think they could truly be in a better position to meet as equals, and be friends.

        • Coatl
          Coatl
          January 30, 2024 at 12:32 am | #

          Indeed

      • David DeLaney
        David DeLaney
        January 30, 2024 at 12:39 am | #

        next panel: Ethan materializes, looming behind Sal

        –Dave, Asher smolders, half-hidden behind the doorframe, next to Dina

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      January 30, 2024 at 12:20 am | #

      It is still difficult for me to believe that Jennifer really wants to help in good faith, with Ruth I already remembered that she tried to advise Dorothy, something tells me that she agreed to this because she wants to make amends for what happened.

      If Danny can help Dorothy’s platonic feeling, it could be.
      But comes what I consider the most difficult, which is what Walky will say, yes, he has shown good progress, but the feeling of discomfort is quite great.

      I love Dorothy, but it is true that she believes that she must carry the weight of the universe and that in the long run will be more fatal. This is scary, but here it can happen that now you accept help and that is not bad.

      • Archieve
        Archieve
        January 30, 2024 at 12:46 am | #

        As much as Dorothy could use some support right now I think Dorothy is right about Jennifer doing this more for herself. Jennifer wants to feel like the problem solver but she doesnt know how and there’s no reason she had to have her ex girlfriend come along, this is well outside Ruth’s actual obligations.

        • Coatl
          Coatl
          January 30, 2024 at 12:54 am | #

          Exactly, I even dare to say that if they manage to get Dorothy to recover, Jennifer will begin to give herself credits that make no sense and now everyone in the room (with Dorothy’s confidence already recovered) will make her see her defects, hehehe, it would be pleasant to see.

          • Coatl
            Coatl
            January 30, 2024 at 1:05 am | #

            And now that I look at the strip again, Jennifer’s expression in panel three seems to say “hey, we’re supposed to help you, I do understand people and you’re an ungrateful brat, cooperate damn.”

            • Archieve
              Archieve
              January 30, 2024 at 1:18 am | #

              Jennifer Is definitely getting angry that her effort isn’t being rewarded, ill consider it good character growth if at the end of this she atleast admits that she might not have known how to help on this situation.

          • Archieve
            Archieve
            January 30, 2024 at 1:12 am | #

            I could see Walky and right calling her out in that regard, thougj would be interesting if Jennifer got called out by Dorothy for now having a thing for Walky. thats such an awkward triangle of unreceproccated feelings we have here, Ruth not over her ex girlfriend who is starting to feel attracted to her longtime pseudo sibling who still just thinks of her as a sister. Maybe Dorothy and Jennifer can bond over unrequited feelings for Walky.

            • Archieve
              Archieve
              January 30, 2024 at 1:13 am | #

              *Ruth not right

              • Coatl
                Coatl
                January 30, 2024 at 1:28 am | #

                The truth is that I don’t feel that kind of spark between Walky and Jennifer, but I remember that in flashbacks, Walky welcomed Jennifer when they were children, I insist that Walky still sees her as a sister, but Jennifer with her way of being so characteristic can spoil the appreciation that the boy has for her.

                I know that many assume that the Walky x Dorothy ship is gone, but I would like to see it at least seen from another angle and it could arise again, even if the probability is small, I take it without fear, but of course be the opposite and a friendship arises, it will also be welcome

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        January 30, 2024 at 11:29 am | #

        There’s a lot of extremely uncharitable takes about Jennifer, I suppose because people love to hate her. I think you-all are trying too hard to make everything she does evil. I think she’s better written than that.

    • Steelbright
      Steelbright
      January 30, 2024 at 12:37 am | #

      I think, like many of us, they at least believe they’re doing it for her. Most stuff like this is at least partially for ourselves too, and that’s not even always bad. They can definitely do a little bit of both at once…

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      January 30, 2024 at 7:54 am | #

      The Danny/Ethan thing isn’t much of a parallel. They acknowledged they weren’t just platonic buddies within a few days of getting to know each other, they just had other reasons for not acting on it.

  12. Kitschensyngk
    Kitschensyngk
    January 30, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

    And Walky, on his first turn, selects Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      January 30, 2024 at 4:05 am | #

      Oh man, that song was all over the Newgrounds portal ca. 2006. I know most of it but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it all the way through…

      • egg egg
        egg egg
        January 30, 2024 at 1:19 pm | #

        It was also on a Kidz Bop CD.

      • elebenty
        elebenty
        January 30, 2024 at 3:26 pm | #

        There’s a good mash-up of it, Wonderwall, and bits of 3 or so other things:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KniyOd1kwac

  13. Uly
    Uly
    January 30, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

    I now feel like we need to see Sal and Dorothy dating. I wonder which one would snap first?

    • Masumi
      Masumi
      January 30, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

      Danny.

      • cbwroses
        cbwroses
        January 30, 2024 at 12:25 am | #

        Prompted by Walky saying “So when Sal dates your ex it’s ok, but when I do it, it’s a problem.”
        Bonus points if he implies Danny is being sexist and/or fetishizing lesbian couples just so Danny would start stuttering as he vehemently denies the allegations.

        • Proxiehunter
          Proxiehunter
          January 30, 2024 at 2:50 am | #

          Somehow that ends up with Danny and Walky dating.

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      January 30, 2024 at 12:23 am | #

      They’re both my favorites, but I think if things go well they can at least chat friendly and make fun of Walky (to some extent therapeutic, but not in a cruel way)

  14. Dara
    Dara
    January 30, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

    this is the karaoke of the mysterons

    we know that you can hear us, dumblings

    our crooning will be slow and merciless

    our next act of retaliation will be to sing every known version of wonderwaaaaaaaaaaall

    • StClair
      StClair
      January 30, 2024 at 1:10 am | #

      as alien plots to destroy humanity go, that’s pretty good.

    • Daibhid C
      Daibhid C
      January 30, 2024 at 5:14 am | #

      Thank you! I knew that lighting effect was reminding me of something, but I’d pretty much decided it was Shade the Changing Man’s coat.

      • Dara
        Dara
        January 30, 2024 at 10:06 pm | #

        yeah it took me a couple of strips too but I got there xD

  15. JR
    JR
    January 30, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

    Ruth & Jennifer remain my OTP. I will not be taking questions.

    • RassilonTDavros
      RassilonTDavros
      January 30, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

      I really really hope they get back together at some point.

    • Nedlum
      Nedlum
      January 30, 2024 at 10:21 am | #

      Certainly better than Asher (doesn’t deserve Jennifer’s indifference) or Jason (he and Ruth have the same placeholder feeling as Walky and Lucy, without the drama)

  16. RocketRelm
    RocketRelm
    January 30, 2024 at 12:13 am | #

    I’m kind of mad I didn’t see that joke coming. I should have. It was obvious and also amazing.

  17. Regalli
    Regalli
    January 30, 2024 at 12:13 am | #

    … The logical implications of Sal, Walky and Danny crashing the party had not made themselves clear to me until this very moment.

    … I’m not sure Sal KNOWS her boyfriend was her brother’s ex’s high school boyfriend. (The smoochy chart really IS an ouroboros!)

    • cbwroses
      cbwroses
      January 30, 2024 at 12:18 am | #

      She knew before, but it was also mentioned at the dinner with the parents.

      • anon
        anon
        January 30, 2024 at 12:37 am | #

        plus i don’t think danny was ever hiding it/probably brought up dorothy to sal at least once

  18. Masumi
    Masumi
    January 30, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

    The worst best timing.

  19. StClair
    StClair
    January 30, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

    “So certain are you?”

  20. thakoru
    thakoru
    January 30, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

    BOOOOOOONE???!!!

  21. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    January 30, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

    Ah-whoops.

  22. sakamism
    sakamism
    January 30, 2024 at 12:16 am | #

    I forgot Dorothy and Danny dated until this punchline, lol

  23. Freezer
    Freezer
    January 30, 2024 at 12:18 am | #

    On the contrary. Your timing couldn’t be better.

    And to be honest, I’m looking forward to seeing what WhiGWAG song Danny chooses to try.

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      January 30, 2024 at 12:20 am | #

      WhiGWAG ? Just what is this acronym earthling? 😮

      • cbwroses
        cbwroses
        January 30, 2024 at 12:22 am | #

        I believe it is White Guy With Acoustic Guitar.

    • cbwroses
      cbwroses
      January 30, 2024 at 12:20 am | #

      Somewhere Todd-in-the-Shadows feels a chill down his spine.

      • Freezer
        Freezer
        January 30, 2024 at 12:44 am | #

        I see you are also a person of culture.

        • cbwroses
          cbwroses
          January 30, 2024 at 1:09 am | #

          Love that guy, though I haven’t been watching his most recent videos lately.
          I need to catch up.

    • cbwroses
      cbwroses
      January 30, 2024 at 12:27 am | #

      I hope Walky does that peaches song from that animated Mario movie.

      • Freezer
        Freezer
        January 30, 2024 at 12:43 am | #

        Walky seems to me like the type to go straight for the Disney songs. Assuming they didn’t have any TV theme songs, that is.

        • Daibhid C
          Daibhid C
          January 30, 2024 at 5:17 am | #

          Walky and Dorothy dueting on the theme fromDexter and Monkey Master. This has to happen. Even if it doesn’t happen tonight, it still has to happen at some point.

  24. John Campbell
    John Campbell
    January 30, 2024 at 12:25 am | #

    The light rings are making Dorothy look like she’s emitting a Canary Cry or something in panel 4 there.

  25. BBCC
    BBCC
    January 30, 2024 at 12:26 am | #

    Ah, this promises to be a treat.

    • clif
      clif
      January 30, 2024 at 4:52 am | #

      Indeed. The chaos potential has spiked.

  26. Pocky
    Pocky
    January 30, 2024 at 12:27 am | #

    the universe disagrees

    vehemently

    • Mark
      Mark
      January 30, 2024 at 6:57 am | #

      Smugly.

  27. Steelbright
    Steelbright
    January 30, 2024 at 12:28 am | #

    If nothing else, this is at least gonna let Dorothy unleash some repressed angst

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      January 30, 2024 at 12:31 am | #

      I know, she has a much weight by her shoulders

  28. Lingo
    Lingo
    January 30, 2024 at 12:30 am | #

    I hope that screen just keeps on displaying Jewel lyrics until the end of this storyline

  29. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    January 30, 2024 at 12:33 am | #

    I mean, I know this isn’t an intervention, but it’s kinda feeling like an intervention.

  30. anon
    anon
    January 30, 2024 at 12:35 am | #

    “you like being graded” …are indiana karaoke bars diff? b/c the one i went to with friends around dallas def had a grading system after you were done (tho i wouldn’t be surprised if it was fake/flattering b/c i got 100 on a song i knew in jp but was pretty flat lol, maybe it depends on the loudness more than the accuracy)

    • CMasta1992
      CMasta1992
      January 30, 2024 at 12:47 am | #

      By any chance are you talking about Encore Family Karaoke off Goodnight Lane?

      • Jess
        Jess
        January 30, 2024 at 12:52 am | #

        OH SHIT I’VE BEEN THERE ON A VACATION WITH MY FAMILY! Fuck that place was fun.

        • Cmasta1992
          Cmasta1992
          January 30, 2024 at 12:22 pm | #

          That’s so wild! I’ve gone there a couple of times with my arcade group for karaoke. That’s so cool we’ve been to the same joint.

      • anon
        anon
        January 31, 2024 at 12:47 am | #

        not sure what it was called, it was kinda a hole in the wall place, or at least, the entrance we used on the side you wouldn’t be able to tell it was a karaoke place from the door (tho it might’ve been the dfw area rather than dallas directly lol)

  31. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    January 30, 2024 at 12:55 am | #

    This is going to be super awkward, because of how Jennifer and Walky are destined to be together.

    • David DeLaney
      David DeLaney
      January 30, 2024 at 1:23 pm | #

      Walky telling Jennifer “You, uh, look, you know you’re … adopted, right?”

    • Lingo
      Lingo
      January 30, 2024 at 7:55 pm | #

      You of course mean Dorothy and Sal.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        January 30, 2024 at 9:29 pm | #

        Dorothy is destined to be with Arnold. He’s outside playing skeeball. Dorothy’s going to slip out of the room when Danny and Ruth get into one of their famous arguments that usually take place off panel. And that’s when Dorothy and Arnold have their meetcute.

        • KM
          KM
          January 30, 2024 at 11:40 pm | #

          I will vote for you and your cause

  32. DashWallkick
    DashWallkick
    January 30, 2024 at 1:00 am | #

    I mean they’re not giving good advice and it’s largely ego driven but they’re not WRONG about you needing to get laid, given her whole thing is self denial to push herself harder.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      January 30, 2024 at 9:02 am | #

      I don’t know. Her first crisis in college was when she was getting laid regularly.

      • DashWallkick
        DashWallkick
        January 30, 2024 at 10:27 am | #

        It’s more that she actively sacrificed her happiness for a dream she wanted, and keeps doing it not fully realizing that dream is not realistic.

  33. Wereg
    Wereg
    January 30, 2024 at 1:21 am | #

    God, Jennifer and Ruth sure are doing A job of helping Dorothy.

    • Jeremiah
      Jeremiah
      January 30, 2024 at 1:45 am | #

      Is the job good? Is the job bad? It is making stuff happen that’s for certain.

  34. Newlland(Henryvolt)
    Newlland(Henryvolt)
    January 30, 2024 at 2:00 am | #

    No Walky, that was perfection.

    Also someone really needs to tell Jennifer if all the worlds issues could be resolved through getting your rocks off, then every war in world could have been stopped by getting the right person enough head.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      January 30, 2024 at 4:32 am | #

      It’s theoretically possible that somebody could die of dehydration at least, if you fucked them long enough. I don’t see any downsides or potential flaws in just applying that to the greedy murderous dweebs in charge of stuff.

    • elebenty
      elebenty
      January 30, 2024 at 10:53 pm | #

      Works for bonobos

  35. Suet
    Suet
    January 30, 2024 at 2:06 am | #

    Considering “You Were Meant for Me” is still playing…

    Dun dun dun… dan

  36. Acher4
    Acher4
    January 30, 2024 at 2:14 am | #

    Oh, this will be FUN! 😛

    • Zaxares
      Zaxares
      January 30, 2024 at 6:36 am | #

      Time for very bad, impulsive break-up sex with the ex? ;P

  37. Weatherheight
    Weatherheight
    January 30, 2024 at 2:31 am | #

    Bad timing, Walky?
    No, I’d say it was darned near perfect.

  38. Proxiehunter
    Proxiehunter
    January 30, 2024 at 2:40 am | #

    Oh look, it’s her entire previous love life.

  39. Needfuldoer
    Needfuldoer
    January 30, 2024 at 4:12 am | #

    Thanks to the karaoke machine still rolling You Were Meant For Me, we can work out how much time has elapsed over the last couple strips!

    Ruth stopped at 0:57, and I think it’s up to about 1:26.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WW4qcmrJ3E

  40. shrub
    shrub
    January 30, 2024 at 4:21 am | #

    Walky needs to expand his current friend group and would benefit from some male friends.

    He has a real chance of making friends with Danny because while Danny is rightfully annoyed with Walky he, Danny, is also a good guy that looks for the best in people

    If Walky can refrain from being Walky for a bit he may well be able to gain a new friendship with Danny, which would be beneficial for Walky

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      January 30, 2024 at 9:03 am | #

      “rightfully”? Danny’s annoyed with him for dating his exes. After they broke up with him.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        January 30, 2024 at 11:11 am | #

        It’s better not to engage. Shrub is just mad because Walky bumped into them once in a hallway.

        • shrub
          shrub
          January 30, 2024 at 11:51 am | #

          He didn’t even apologise for it

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        January 30, 2024 at 10:06 pm | #

        Walky never even brought it up to ridicule Danny or talked about Sal’s vulva to try to humiliate him.

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      January 30, 2024 at 11:57 am | #

      Okay, Jennifer.

      • Schpoonman
        Schpoonman
        January 30, 2024 at 12:17 pm | #

        Let’s just be clear about Danny’s problem with Walky, examine whether it’s justified, and then come a conclusion if Walky being very unimpressed with Danny is warranted.

        Both Dorothy and Amber pursued Walky more than he pursued them. Both of them only met Walky after breaking up with Danny (I might be confused on the Amber timeline, Garbage Roof and their ensuing bondage [I’m keeping it] didn’t happen until after Danny/AG ended at the least). Danny’s beef is that Walky is dating his exes without having ever met Danny or gotten to know him. But he should still follow “Bro Code.” If for whatever reason Danny and Joe had roomed in another wing there’s a chance Danny wouldn’t have ever known in the first place, but he still demands primacy.

        Walky is right to mock Danny for his “grudge.” He’s becoming okay with Danny dating Sal, so now it’s on Danny to not expect Walky to kiss the ring.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          January 30, 2024 at 10:46 pm | #

          Yeah, Walky and Amber had met, but mostly in passing. No real significant interaction until Garbage roof, well after Danny and AG had broken up.

        • shrub
          shrub
          January 30, 2024 at 11:33 pm | #

          Agree to disagree on this

  41. GUIGUI
    GUIGUI
    January 30, 2024 at 4:29 am | #

    It’s not as bad as what it might first look like: she only boned 33.33% of the people in the room. Well, 50% if she include herself, under the condition that self-indulgence also count.

  42. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    January 30, 2024 at 5:00 am | #

    Yzs.

  43. goggleman64
    goggleman64
    January 30, 2024 at 7:43 am | #

    I like that in this storyline about failing to help Dorothy, Dorothy kind of *is* getting help, in that she gets two deserving targets to rage against 😉

  44. Lan
    Lan
    January 30, 2024 at 7:53 am | #

    Nothing but good things can happen here

  45. shellshockbp
    shellshockbp
    January 30, 2024 at 8:01 am | #

    Wishful thinking: Dorothy is going to try and make a move on Walky…again. She knows he’s more vulnerable because of Lucy. Whether or not he will go along remains to be seen. Maybe an awkward and regretful one-night stand tonight, but they won’t start dating again.

    • Nedlum
      Nedlum
      January 30, 2024 at 10:16 am | #

      Does she know that, though? She’s been hanging out with Ruth and Jennifer, neither of which would know.

      And Walky, as far as I can tell, isn’t sure if it’s over or not (“I had a girlfriend. Don’t think I got one any more.” “Lucy and I kinda blew up”). It’s Walky, so he might not be ready to to do the hard thing and save a relationship which he likes but isn’t as deep as what he had with Dorothy, but I don’t think he’s cruel enough to go back to Dorothy twelve hours later.

  46. keithcurtis
    keithcurtis
    January 30, 2024 at 10:19 am | #

    Nobody’s mentioning that they are in one of those fictional karaoke bars where you can just hand the mic to the next singer of your choice? I put my name on the list 8 songs ago, Jennifer!!!

    • Anonymous
      Anonymous
      January 30, 2024 at 10:54 am | #

      they are in private room karaoke rather than public room karaoke. In private room you pay for the room with the setup and only you and your friends are there and can pick whatever songs you want for your little group without strangers. usually everyone selects a bunch in the list ahead of time to save time but you can just pick it on the spot.

    • Nedlum
      Nedlum
      January 30, 2024 at 10:59 am | #

      Jennifer probably reserved a private room.

    • David M Willis
      David M Willis
      January 30, 2024 at 11:15 am | #

      have you never experienced a private karaoke room? Pretty sure, due to personal experience, that they are not fictional

  47. nicoleandmaggie
    nicoleandmaggie
    January 30, 2024 at 10:22 am | #

    Oh yeah, I forgot she used to date Danny too.

  48. thumb
    thumb
    January 30, 2024 at 11:38 am | #

    Quick, lock the door! Trap her in there with the ghosts of her past failures at finding the balance between her personal life and the pursuit of her grand ambitions! And find Joyce to make this complete!

  49. cf
    cf
    January 30, 2024 at 1:03 pm | #

    walky’s available

  50. Hilzabub
    Hilzabub
    January 30, 2024 at 1:14 pm | #

    Wait … Where’s Joyce?

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      January 30, 2024 at 3:58 pm | #

      Running around the house unsupervised, which is good parenting.

  51. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    January 30, 2024 at 6:12 pm | #

    Remember when M I K E was written in the background? I think they’re doing it again. If you look carefully, there’s a bunch of o’s hidden in several of todays panels. I checked yesterday’s strip and the day before, and they’re there too. Mike’s ghost is also in this scene, saying “oooOOOOOoooooo”

    • buddy
      buddy
      January 30, 2024 at 10:50 pm | #

      you have such a beautiful mind. i love the vision you have of mike’s ghost, who is still making shitty comments now, beyond the veil.

  52. buddy
    buddy
    January 30, 2024 at 10:50 pm | #

    if i were doing karaoke with my most mentally unstable acquaintance/situationship and had a breakdown about my love life when TWO of my exes walked in at the same time i would seriously end it all. they would have to invent new legal vocabulary for the crimes id be charged with.

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