Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

July 1, 2026

No big deal

by David M Willis on June 4, 2025 at 12:01 am
  • 04 – The Only Exception
└ Tags: alice, charlie, dorothy, jennifer, joyce

Discussion (203) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. ZombieKyrik
    ZombieKyrik
    June 4, 2025 at 12:02 am | #

    Billie is changing; which is a good thing?

    • ZombieKyrik
      ZombieKyrik
      June 4, 2025 at 12:03 am | #

      Not even Billie/Jennifer, right now she’s just Billie… I think.

      • Rose by Any other Name
        Rose by Any other Name
        June 4, 2025 at 12:05 am | #

        I mean, she’s Jennifer so long as that is the name she wishes to go by.

        That fact is in… semi doubt, since she didn’t correct Alice, but until she confirms it one way or another (or the tags do), the polite thing is to continue on with Jennifer.

        • ian livs
          ian livs
          June 4, 2025 at 1:30 am | #

          Thank you. Unless she says otherwise, we should call her Jennifer like she said

          (As for correcting Alice–I feel like Jennifer still doesn’t like her old nickname, but she just wants Alice back in her life badly enough that she’s not going to say anything. After all, if she wants things with their ‘friendship’ to go back to how they were, she shouldn’t be allowed to complain about Alice calling her by her old name from that era. Seems a bit too thoughtful for Jennifer? maybe. but that’s just my read)

          • Tessea
            Tessea
            June 4, 2025 at 4:50 am | #

            Alice seems smart enough to catch on. It just takes time to get used to it. And this is just the norm with her and Jennifer. I’m sure Jennifer doesn’t want to take her first chance to visit with her old (and clearly dear) friend by coming on strong with ground rules. It’ll probably come up in conversation eventually.

            “So your friends are calling you Jennifer now?”
            “Yeah. I decided to drop the nickname when I got into the whole introspection thing.”

            Something like that

            • Decidedly Orthogonal
              Decidedly Orthogonal
              June 4, 2025 at 11:02 am | #

              The irony of Ms Billingsworth claiming she became Jennifer when she got into introspection is phenomenal. That was/is the pinnacle of her self-denial.

              • yak
                yak
                June 4, 2025 at 4:41 pm | #

                Part of that self denial was getting off booze, which is pretty substantial. She may not want to go back to being Billie purely for that reason.

      • Thag Simmons
        Thag Simmons
        June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

        She’s not rejecting Alice calling her that but she’s not made an affirmative statement in either direction. Feels like it could go either way at this point

        • Shade
          Shade
          June 4, 2025 at 2:40 am | #

          It might even turn out that only Alice is allowed to call her that.

      • Queen Anthai
        Queen Anthai
        June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

        Honestly I just use the tags.

      • Bluesnake463
        Bluesnake463
        June 4, 2025 at 1:07 am | #

        Until the tag changes from Jennifer to Billie, I think it’s best to go by Jennifer. Even if she leaves her new toxic friend group, she still might prefer Jennifer to still make a point about not wanting to be the person she was before.

      • yak
        yak
        June 4, 2025 at 4:40 pm | #

        Jebinnillifer

    • Clif
      Clif
      June 4, 2025 at 1:22 am | #

      Jennifer changing may or may not be a good thing, but that’s a very personal question she’s asking.

      • Clif
        Clif
        June 4, 2025 at 1:31 am | #

        On the other hand, if Joyce doesn’t answer, she will conclude that it’s Sal.

        • ZombieKyrik
          ZombieKyrik
          June 4, 2025 at 1:38 am | #

          Joyce said “best friend” so Jennifer/Billie is unlikely to imagine Sal.

          Also yes it is a personal question, but Joyce brought the subject up, so Jennifer’s/Billie’s question isn’t unwarranted.

          • John Campbell
            John Campbell
            June 4, 2025 at 4:40 pm | #

            Tangentially, I just realized that Joyce has been bumped out of the “Billie’s best friend” position.

  2. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    June 4, 2025 at 12:03 am | #

    Dorothy isn’t used to being sneaky, it doesn’t come naturally to her, so she can’t resist doing this.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      June 4, 2025 at 12:04 am | #

      She should have brought out the Velma wig

      • circumlocutrix
        circumlocutrix
        June 4, 2025 at 2:30 pm | #

        There is no Velma wig, she dyed her hair brown

    • Steamweed
      Steamweed
      June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

      She might as well have a big bright green diamond hovering over her head.

      • Freezer
        Freezer
        June 4, 2025 at 1:46 am | #

        Or a big exclamation point that randomly goes “VRRRRT!!!”

        • Steamweed
          Steamweed
          June 4, 2025 at 9:41 am | #

          D-10 Bi-hog go VRRRT!

    • StClair
      StClair
      June 4, 2025 at 2:01 am | #

      “Agh, she’s doing her own theme music?“

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        June 4, 2025 at 2:33 am | #

        You don’t have your own theme music? Mine is Staying Alive, form obvious reasons.

        • morleuca
          morleuca
          June 4, 2025 at 5:31 am | #

          Mine switched between Ray Lynch’s Deep Breakfast and Isabella Bunny Bennett’s Transform

    • Tessea
      Tessea
      June 4, 2025 at 4:52 am | #

      I had the exact same thought! I was imagining Dorothy doing Kronk’s ‘stealth song’

    • Rook
      Rook
      June 4, 2025 at 10:29 am | #

      Is Dorothy just sneaking to avoid Joyce or she can actually hear the conversation and trying to stay out of Joyce line of sight?

    • Sarah Lea
      Sarah Lea
      June 4, 2025 at 4:45 pm | #

      I somehow knew exactly what that was going to be before I even clicked on it (and despite being thrown off by Velma references).

      Here’s what I though: “I GOT A 4!!!” https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0090.html

  3. chaostails7
    chaostails7
    June 4, 2025 at 12:03 am | #

    That Joyce face lol

  4. Steamweed
    Steamweed
    June 4, 2025 at 12:03 am | #

    Dotty, your timing is statistically excellent.

  5. Ray Radlein
    Ray Radlein
    June 4, 2025 at 12:04 am | #

    STEALTH CHECK: Natural 1

    • brionl
      brionl
      June 4, 2025 at 12:29 am | #

      No, the boots add +2 too, so “I GOT A 3!”

      • Casi
        Casi
        June 4, 2025 at 10:48 am | #

        yeah but this is PF2e, so a natural 1 automatically results in one degree of success worse than what your total allows, and i think she still critically fails

  6. Nono
    Nono
    June 4, 2025 at 12:04 am | #

    Pride Month is off to a great start!

    • Rose by Any other Name
      Rose by Any other Name
      June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

      Wahoo Pride!

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        June 4, 2025 at 12:12 am | #

        WiiGii Pride! To be consistent with the author.

  7. AK
    AK
    June 4, 2025 at 12:04 am | #

    …huh. I wonder what the sorting that one out is going to look like for Jen and Alice.

    • Rose by Any other Name
      Rose by Any other Name
      June 4, 2025 at 12:10 am | #

      … Huh.
      I’m kinda wondering if this is leading up to Alice confronting Jennifer’s bi erasure and making it clear that their Sapphic relationship was important to her.

      • RassilonTDavros
        RassilonTDavros
        June 4, 2025 at 12:18 am | #

        God, yes please.

      • Shade
        Shade
        June 4, 2025 at 2:43 am | #

        She already seemed to pick up on that and corrected though?

        • Rose by Any other Name
          Rose by Any other Name
          June 4, 2025 at 8:09 am | #

          Jennifer stammered a BS correction to cover her ass. I’m talking about actual growth where Jennifer realises it wasn’t a casual fling for Alice – it was a serious romantic relationship – that Jennifer then blew off.

          • Nymph
            Nymph
            June 4, 2025 at 10:11 am | #

            I don’t see a stammer, but I would also really like to see Billie and Alice talk about their relationship and immediately hop right back into it

        • Mturtle7
          Mturtle7
          June 4, 2025 at 1:32 pm | #

          Saying “it’s not a big deal…” and then saying “of course it’s important!” 2 seconds later isn’t an actual correction, it’s just pure denial, carefully refined to the level of Orwellian doublethink.

          Jennifer has a problem for a LONG time now where she’s VERY passionate about her sapphic relationships right up until the point where that becomes inconvenient to her, at which point she just pretends (to everyone, including herself) like she never cared about them for a moment. And vice versa! I think having to deal with that constant flip-flopping of searing passion and condescending apathy is a large part of why Ruth actually broke up with Billie, tbh. And it’s almost certainly why Alice cut her out of her life, so yeah they’re due for this conversation.

          • Taffy
            Taffy
            June 4, 2025 at 5:59 pm | #

            You’re too paranoid. Things can be important without also being a big deal.

  8. Larathiel
    Larathiel
    June 4, 2025 at 12:04 am | #

    Is Dorothy wearing a mask?

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

      I think it’s that her expression is like this: 8|

      • Furie
        Furie
        June 4, 2025 at 4:16 am | #

        Ah, she’s a South Park Canadian.

    • jeffepp
      jeffepp
      June 4, 2025 at 12:07 am | #

      She’s showing a LOT of teeth.

      • Nadamás
        Nadamás
        June 4, 2025 at 12:13 am | #

        😬

  9. Proxiehunter
    Proxiehunter
    June 4, 2025 at 12:05 am | #

    Oh, I get bi with a little nookie from my friends

    • Rose by Any other Name
      Rose by Any other Name
      June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

      I would continue on with the next lyric, but that is the only one I remember from that song.

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        June 4, 2025 at 12:31 am | #

        “I get high with a little help from my friends
        Gonna try with a little help from my friends.”

    • Steamweed
      Steamweed
      June 4, 2025 at 12:07 am | #

      You’re allowed to bang your friend, like, once.

    • Laura
      Laura
      June 4, 2025 at 12:27 am | #

      “Come on, join the fun, lend a hand….”

    • tim Rowledge
      tim Rowledge
      June 4, 2025 at 10:41 am | #

      (Different song, but…)
      “Come together,
      Over me”

  10. Yumi
    Yumi
    June 4, 2025 at 12:05 am | #

    At first it looked like the whole bottom half of Dorothy’s face was one big smile, and it was unsettling.

    • Lingo
      Lingo
      June 4, 2025 at 1:09 am | #

      Is that not what it is? That’s the only thing I see.

      • Rabid Rabbit
        Rabid Rabbit
        June 4, 2025 at 3:37 am | #

        It’s a Schrodinger’s grin. At first, yes, in both last panels, it looks like a wide-mouthed grin. But then you notice that in Dorothy’s first appearance, it could be a frowny face — either it’s a wide-mouthed grin, or it’s a very closed-mouth frown, and what you thought was her bottom lip is actually her chin. And if that’s correct, then in the last panel her mouth had gone full-on straight-line :|hur hur hur, straight), and the whiteness isn’t her teeth, it’s how much she’s blanching.

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        June 4, 2025 at 8:03 am | #

        Yeah, pretty sure it’s an ” 8| ” expression. If you really zoom in, you can see that the colors in the bottom half of her face match parts of the top half; she’s just very white.

      • Lingo
        Lingo
        June 5, 2025 at 12:07 am | #

        Yeah…no, I’m still not seeing it.

  11. jeffepp
    jeffepp
    June 4, 2025 at 12:06 am | #

    Is that a grimace, or a grin. Dottie. Well.

  12. John Campbell
    John Campbell
    June 4, 2025 at 12:07 am | #

    Calling it now: Dorothy’s attempt to sneak past Joyce unnoticed will be foiled when she falls down because her shoelaces are tied together. Somehow.

    • Steamweed
      Steamweed
      June 4, 2025 at 12:08 am | #

      When Alice, Jennifer, and Joyce try to walk over to help her up, they also fall down, since their shoelaces are tied together. (like all of them tied together)

      • John Campbell
        John Campbell
        June 4, 2025 at 12:13 am | #

        The more impressive because they’re all wearing boots without laces.

        • Leorale
          Leorale
          June 4, 2025 at 12:56 am | #

          Revealing the true depth and mastery of Charlie’s prank

          • Steamweed
            Steamweed
            June 4, 2025 at 9:42 am | #

            She has never been hotter to Carla.

          • StClair
            StClair
            June 4, 2025 at 7:12 pm | #

            Like the bit in Schlock Mercenary where their weapons get disabled by having the safeties fused shut. Tagon notes that these are military weapons, they don’t have safeties, and Kevyn points out that they do now.

            https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2001-03-16

      • Crow
        Crow
        June 4, 2025 at 1:40 pm | #

        And then they all crash into Joe, who just got back from his shower, accidently dislodging his towel and revealing his still-erect penis

        • John Campbell
          John Campbell
          June 4, 2025 at 4:41 pm | #

          No.

  13. Kenny Williams
    Kenny Williams
    June 4, 2025 at 12:07 am | #

    Why does joyce think this was technically nooky? Nothing happened other ghan a caress on the cheek.

    • pickonecard
      pickonecard
      June 4, 2025 at 12:08 am | #

      her definition of sex being “someone you love helping you have an orgasm” would include the Laundry Incident

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      June 4, 2025 at 12:08 am | #

      She isn’t thinking of that, she’s thinking of Dorothy helping her get off using a washing machine.

      • RassilonTDavros
        RassilonTDavros
        June 4, 2025 at 12:27 am | #

        And, when attempting to come up with a definition of sex, she formulated one that technically included said washing machine escapade.

        • Steve
          Steve
          June 4, 2025 at 3:34 pm | #

          If your buddy Joyce was stuck on a washing machine, would you get Joyce off?

          • Taffy
            Taffy
            June 4, 2025 at 4:36 pm | #

            “Step-Dorothy, I’m stuck”

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        June 4, 2025 at 4:46 pm | #

        Y’know, the time they masturbated together while holding hands.

  14. Opus the Poet
    Opus the Poet
    June 4, 2025 at 12:07 am | #

    Hmm, tags say that is Dorothy dancing in the background where Charlie was last time.

    • Zero
      Zero
      June 4, 2025 at 12:16 am | #

      That’s the prank.

      • Dave Van Domelen
        Dave Van Domelen
        June 4, 2025 at 12:18 am | #

        Charlie castled.

    • RocketRelm
      RocketRelm
      June 4, 2025 at 1:21 am | #

      Dorothy *fortnite dancing* about this is immediately hilarious to me, and approximately as plausible as that being her actual attempt to sneak away.

  15. Yak
    Yak
    June 4, 2025 at 12:09 am | #

    Alice is a saint

    • Yak
      Yak
      June 4, 2025 at 12:13 am | #

      Also: I think Willis started drawing Billie diferently, she looks great

      • Shakes
        Shakes
        June 4, 2025 at 12:49 am | #

        I think she’s just smiling for the first time in a while.

        • Yak
          Yak
          June 4, 2025 at 8:08 am | #

          Possible

    • The Queer Agenda [frog memes]
      The Queer Agenda [frog memes]
      June 4, 2025 at 4:29 pm | #

      I’m wondering what in the world Ruth said to her.

  16. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    June 4, 2025 at 12:11 am | #

    Dorothy making loony toons orchestral sneaking noises.

    • Nymph
      Nymph
      June 4, 2025 at 4:15 am | #

      *suspenseful pizzicato plays softly in the background with a xylophone accompanying*

      • Rose by Any other Name
        Rose by Any other Name
        June 4, 2025 at 8:12 am | #

        @Nymph – love the lesbian pride flag on your grav!

        • Nymph
          Nymph
          June 4, 2025 at 10:09 am | #

          Thank youuuu!

  17. Nadamás
    Nadamás
    June 4, 2025 at 12:11 am | #

    Perfect sneaking Dotty. Absolutely flawless. No one will ever know.

    • Jeff K!
      Jeff K!
      June 4, 2025 at 2:25 pm | #

      UNHAND HER, Dan Backslide!

  18. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    June 4, 2025 at 12:11 am | #

    Gosh, Alice is pretty.

    I do really like that Billie/Jennifer *isn’t* shouting that bit in panel 3, and doesn’t look like she’s backpeddling. Like, I think she is legitimately clarifying that whether or not it was a big deal, so to speak, it was still meaningful to her.

  19. JA
    JA
    June 4, 2025 at 12:12 am | #

    I cannot tell what Dorothy is doing. Is she trying to sneak by? Pretending to edge along a narrow ledge on a cliff? Interpretive dance?

    • Clif
      Clif
      June 4, 2025 at 1:17 am | #

      It would appear that Dorothy is too far away to have heard the conversation. If this is the case, then we have to conclude that Dorothy is simply trying to avoid having an awkward conversation with Joyce. But Joyce is facing away and so the side shuffle, instead of turning and walking away seems odd. The combination of the reddish face and the huge grin also seems odd. On the other hand, if we assume that, however unlikely, Dorothy has overheard the conversation AND makes the connection that Joyce considers her to be the one she had sex with by accident, say if Dorothy was closer but hidden by Joyces head in yesterdays strip, then with that big IF it would explain Dorothy’s big grin, her red face and her attempt to side shuffle away without attracting notice.

      Charlie may appear to be watching Dorothy, but in reality she is just thinking about the way in which the taste of tea depends on the temperature at which it was brewed.

      • Nymph
        Nymph
        June 4, 2025 at 4:19 am | #

        I don’t think it’s a huge grin. I think that’s her natural jawline happening to intersect with a 😐🫥 sort of expression with a grimacing kind of vibe.

  20. mindbleach
    mindbleach
    June 4, 2025 at 12:12 am | #

    Zoidberg: “Alright, we get it! You’re nonchalant!”

  21. Suet
    Suet
    June 4, 2025 at 12:13 am | #

    ngl, I’d rather not know whether this arc is just coincidental for Pride Month, BUT

    you’re no Clouseau, Keener

  22. Looney
    Looney
    June 4, 2025 at 12:14 am | #

    i need zoomed-in/hi-res stealth dorothy so bad.

  23. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    June 4, 2025 at 12:16 am | #

    i SEE YOUUUUU

  24. Bryy
    Bryy
    June 4, 2025 at 12:16 am | #

    Hope for Jennifer character development is stable.

  25. AnonGrouch
    AnonGrouch
    June 4, 2025 at 12:21 am | #

    Someone please use Dorothy’s face here as an avatar oh my fucking god that is hilarious

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      June 4, 2025 at 12:32 am | #

      Nobody can truthfully say I’m not a people pleaser.

      • Clif
        Clif
        June 4, 2025 at 1:18 am | #

        It depends on the people.

      • Nymph
        Nymph
        June 4, 2025 at 4:17 am | #

        I am a people. I am pleased.

      • AnonGrouch
        AnonGrouch
        June 4, 2025 at 7:42 am | #

        Yessss thank youuuu

  26. Deanatay
    Deanatay
    June 4, 2025 at 12:22 am | #

    That time when Charlie is NOT the most awkward person in the room.

    • AlexanderHammil
      AlexanderHammil
      June 4, 2025 at 12:31 pm | #

      Charlie isn’t awkward, she’s oblivious.

  27. perpetual sea
    perpetual sea
    June 4, 2025 at 12:25 am | #

    extremely funny strip

  28. Morhek
    Morhek
    June 4, 2025 at 12:28 am | #

    don’t be suspicious, don’t be suspicious

  29. Kyulen
    Kyulen
    June 4, 2025 at 12:30 am | #

    Dorothy has amazing sneaking skills. Solid Snake would be impressed at how good she is at sneaking around.

    • Nymph
      Nymph
      June 4, 2025 at 4:19 am | #

      Joyce: ❗

  30. RassilonTDavros
    RassilonTDavros
    June 4, 2025 at 12:30 am | #

    The best part is that Charlie, despite being the only person in this strip who sees Dorothy back there, is nonetheless the one who has the least chance of making the connection because she hasn’t heard a word the other three have said.

  31. Qube
    Qube
    June 4, 2025 at 12:36 am | #

    INCONSPICUOUS

  32. BBCC
    BBCC
    June 4, 2025 at 12:37 am | #

    I feel like Jennifer will not offer great advice about this topic but this ought to be funny. And hey, she’s being a teeny bit more emotionally honest.

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 4, 2025 at 4:11 pm | #

      Still trying to decide if that’s cause Alice is there or cause she’s performing for Alice.

  33. Taffy
    Taffy
    June 4, 2025 at 12:45 am | #

    If Alice isn’t in a strip, other characters should be asking “Where’s Alice?”

    • Dread Pirate Robin
      Dread Pirate Robin
      June 4, 2025 at 2:20 am | #

      Love the PFP.

  34. mindbleach
    mindbleach
    June 4, 2025 at 12:51 am | #

    Three idiot bisexuals attempt to have a polite conversation about a fourth.

    • Adept
      Adept
      June 4, 2025 at 5:33 am | #

      Good summary.

    • Bryy
      Bryy
      June 4, 2025 at 4:11 pm | #

      A+, no notes.

  35. Bobbi
    Bobbi
    June 4, 2025 at 1:01 am | #

    A: Dorothy, you’re so obviously even Charlie has noticed you unprompted

    B: Okay, Jennifer, don’t Danny it up this time, come on…

    C: Joyce you’re sweet, just chill the eff out 🤣

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      June 4, 2025 at 2:32 am | #

      The “Dannying” thing is weird for people to hold onto as like a meme thing here because it genuinely feels like we’re approaching like 5 years of him not being anywhere near the most awkward dude in the cast, stringing together faux pas. At this point, people just kind of sound like his parents when they say this.

      • Nymph
        Nymph
        June 4, 2025 at 4:21 am | #

        It’s okay, he’s not a real person and can’t be upset by it. It’s just a harmless bit of fandom shorthand.

        • DailyBrad
          DailyBrad
          June 4, 2025 at 8:04 pm | #

          I’m aware he isn’t real, and no harm’s being done, it’s just an increasingly useless fandom shorthand considering it has little relevance anymore.

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        June 4, 2025 at 4:28 pm | #

        Honestly at this point we should retire “Danning” and replace it with “Dotting”

        • The Queer Agenda [frog memes]
          The Queer Agenda [frog memes]
          June 4, 2025 at 4:54 pm | #

          Or Jennifering. Dan only tripped up because he didn’t have the necessary information. Jen usually has enough clues to figure it out, but still draws the wrong conclusions or can’t stop stepping on rakes.

  36. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    June 4, 2025 at 1:05 am | #

    Jesus Christ has been real quiet since this dropped.

    • General Tekno
      General Tekno
      June 4, 2025 at 4:21 pm | #

      I mean, I watched “Mrs Davis”. It’s not impossible.

  37. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    June 4, 2025 at 1:18 am | #

    I wonder what Alice thinks, deep down. I hope it’s something like “yep, she’s still very full of sheep”

  38. Agentomega
    Agentomega
    June 4, 2025 at 1:23 am | #

    The sound I made when I noticed Dorothy in the background ahahaha

  39. IntangibleMatter
    IntangibleMatter
    June 4, 2025 at 1:33 am | #

    I know that Dorothy is sneaking around in the background but I like to imagine that that’s a little dance she’s doing

    • John Campbell
      John Campbell
      June 4, 2025 at 1:59 am | #

      She’s a bard, and her Performance skill is (Interpretive Dance). This is her “Sneak! Sneak! Sneak! Sneak past my best girlfriend!” dance.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        June 4, 2025 at 7:50 am | #

        AKA “My bard is a master songsmith! I, myself…”

  40. Dana W
    Dana W
    June 4, 2025 at 1:40 am | #

    The LAST person who has not figured out she is an atheist. But Billie is also the only one who does not know who Amazing Girl is so she isn’t exactly sharp to begin with.

    • Nadamás
      Nadamás
      June 4, 2025 at 2:46 am | #

      You sure you didn’t mean a different word?

    • Nymph
      Nymph
      June 4, 2025 at 4:23 am | #

      Joe also doesn’t know who Amazi-Girl is. I’m sure there are lots of others, but this one seems particularly egregious when you’re singling out someone who has had way less one-on-one time with Amber.

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        June 4, 2025 at 8:14 am | #

        It’s not JUST that she doesn’t know who Amazi-Girl is; it’s that she doesn’t know (and insists on her own idea of who she is) despite being told.
        As for the atheist thing, it makes sense that’s something she’d need to be told directly as well, and unless she’s told and then thinks it’s a joke or something, it’s not going to be on the same level as the AG stuff.

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      June 4, 2025 at 8:06 pm | #

      I mean, she’s not omniscient. Has Joyce told her?

      That said, Joyce DID talk to her about being frustrated about people not letting her change, and she did state earlier that Joyce had normalized a good bit, so she’s presumably razzing her, anyway, rather than being serious.

  41. Brandon Madigan
    Brandon Madigan
    June 4, 2025 at 1:44 am | #

    You made me put on reading glasses to see Dorothy’s expression. Well played Willis… Well played.

  42. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    June 4, 2025 at 1:45 am | #

    Dorothy looks like awkward Bigfoot.

    • Nymph
      Nymph
      June 4, 2025 at 4:44 am | #

      Let’s try to HTML this picture in:

      If that doesn’t work, then: https://i.imgur.com/spEY5Dy.png

      • Nymph
        Nymph
        June 4, 2025 at 4:45 am | #

        Okay rude but at least I know how it works:

        Awkward Bigfoot Dorothy

        • eh, whatever
          eh, whatever
          June 4, 2025 at 8:34 am | #

          That saved my day.

          • Nymph
            Nymph
            June 4, 2025 at 10:07 am | #

            Aww I’m glad

        • JessWitt
          JessWitt
          June 5, 2025 at 12:03 am | #

          Lol, excellent work.

    • Falcon
      Falcon
      June 4, 2025 at 1:39 pm | #

      Now I’m imagining Dorothy in that Bigfoot scene in A Goofy Movie.

  43. Cholma
    Cholma
    June 4, 2025 at 1:48 am | #

    Okay, I’m guessing “stuffies” is a slang for stuffed animals/plushies? Or just “stuff” in general?

    • Zamperla
      Zamperla
      June 4, 2025 at 1:51 am | #

      got it in 1

  44. Zamperla
    Zamperla
    June 4, 2025 at 1:51 am | #

    its a little harder to stay in the closet if you keep pratfalling out the door, is the thing.

  45. staszu13
    staszu13
    June 4, 2025 at 2:07 am | #

    Oh hell even Charlie is paying attention

  46. Purple Floof
    Purple Floof
    June 4, 2025 at 2:17 am | #

    And then there’s Dorothy even FURTHER in the background

    • Purple Floof
      Purple Floof
      June 4, 2025 at 12:57 pm | #

      We need a series of strips where each character that’s ever been shown in the comic being even further in the background of the previous strip

  47. Acher4
    Acher4
    June 4, 2025 at 2:30 am | #

    What is even Dorothy doing???

    Also, it’s way too funny that even Charlie noticed her.
    ROFL!

    And. Wtg Jennifer!! YEEEEEE!!!

    • Shade
      Shade
      June 4, 2025 at 2:38 am | #

      Sneaking.

    • Eyebrow
      Eyebrow
      June 4, 2025 at 5:04 am | #

      Seriously wondering if Dorothy can overhear this conversation. Adds a layer to the sneak.

  48. Tan
    Tan
    June 4, 2025 at 2:32 am | #

    Someone had asked yesterday what Charlie was looking at and I boldly claim that here we have our answer

  49. TheCozburger
    TheCozburger
    June 4, 2025 at 2:42 am | #

    “Dorothy!

    “…do you know who she’s talking about?”

  50. Nadamás
    Nadamás
    June 4, 2025 at 2:45 am | #

    If anyone wanna cheer with me: Deltarune tomorrow!

    • AGV/Ruby
      AGV/Ruby
      June 4, 2025 at 3:26 am | #

      Deltarune tomorrow!

      • Nadamás
        Nadamás
        June 4, 2025 at 3:15 pm | #

        Deltarune today!

  51. Needfuldoer
    Needfuldoer
    June 4, 2025 at 2:55 am | #

    Dorothy looks like she’s singing her theme song to herself, like Kronk when he’s sneaking off to dispose of Kuzco in the canal.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      June 4, 2025 at 3:04 am | #

      Just keep on truckin’, Dorothy.

      • Arianod
        Arianod
        June 4, 2025 at 3:33 am | #

        Truckin’ on down the line!

  52. Florence
    Florence
    June 4, 2025 at 3:04 am | #

    It’s Dorothy!

    *audience cheers*

  53. AGV/Ruby
    AGV/Ruby
    June 4, 2025 at 3:17 am | #

    Real inconspicuous, they’ll never know!

  54. Arianod
    Arianod
    June 4, 2025 at 3:33 am | #

    “Now all of Bloomington knows you’re gay.”

  55. David Alexander McDonald
    David Alexander McDonald
    June 4, 2025 at 3:38 am | #

    This is going to wind up being three days of people going in and out of scene increasingly ridiculous ways, isn’t it? Possibly with doors involved.

    • SalmonMax
      SalmonMax
      June 4, 2025 at 7:42 am | #

      Doors and sardines, that’s what it’s all about. Doors and sardines! That’s farce! That’s the theater! …that’s LIFE.

      • Nymph
        Nymph
        June 4, 2025 at 10:07 am | #

        That’s Showbiz baybeeee

  56. Francoinblanco
    Francoinblanco
    June 4, 2025 at 3:55 am | #

    as the saying goes
    once doesn’t count
    second time with a friend
    and third time resets the counter

  57. Tessea
    Tessea
    June 4, 2025 at 4:55 am | #

    I wonder if Charlie has tied all of their shoelaces together yet.

  58. Dorjojoe
    Dorjojoe
    June 4, 2025 at 5:28 am | #

    It has never been more happening than in this moment

  59. Adept
    Adept
    June 4, 2025 at 5:31 am | #

    Not awkward at all.

  60. M!a
    M!a
    June 4, 2025 at 5:46 am | #

    1. Billifer jumping right back into her superiority trip, I see. Yeah, big change

    2. Alice is being awfully patient with New & Improved Billifer.

    3. I can hear cartoony pizzicato violins playing as Dorothy tries to sneak past.

    • M!a
      M!a
      June 4, 2025 at 11:49 am | #

      And only *now* do I see that someone beat me to the pizzicato reference. When will I learn to read ahead?? 😑

  61. Veronica
    Veronica
    June 4, 2025 at 7:38 am | #

    Stuffies? Is that some kind of regional American term?

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      June 4, 2025 at 8:18 am | #

      It might be a combination of regional and generational; I never used or really heard that term when growing up, but as an adult, I’ve worked with kids in the same area I’ve always lived in, and they do use the term now.

      • Clif
        Clif
        June 4, 2025 at 10:39 am | #

        Seems a standard move. They are stuffed toy animals. They are cute, small, and huggable, so they get the affectionate diminutive treatment, hence stuffies. I have an ex-girlfriend to whom I will forever be Cliffy.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        June 4, 2025 at 8:05 pm | #

        It might have been regional? But it’s been used in enough at least national marketing that it no longer is. Probably US though

  62. Kim
    Kim
    June 4, 2025 at 7:53 am | #

    This strip is so funny 😀 And just a masterful use of character positioning and movement/gaze-direction 😌👍🏼✨

  63. aSnowyEvening
    aSnowyEvening
    June 4, 2025 at 8:14 am | #

    Man zooming in on Dorothy’s face is downright terrifying lol

    • BorkBorkBork
      BorkBorkBork
      June 4, 2025 at 9:28 am | #

      Oh, great, now I can’t unsee it. That is horrifying. Mouths are not supposed to do that.

  64. David Welbourn
    David Welbourn
    June 4, 2025 at 8:51 am | #

    Wow, even Charlie noticed Dorothy’s atypical entry.

  65. thumb
    thumb
    June 4, 2025 at 9:31 am | #

    For a moment I thought it was Dotty entering the frame at break neck speed to intercept. But now it looks like she’s comically trying to very unsuccessfully sneak out of frame. Luckily, it’s Jennifer. The only way she’d be even less likely to notice is if Dorothy was wearing an Amazi-Girl costume.

  66. DJTsurugi
    DJTsurugi
    June 4, 2025 at 9:59 am | #

    I love that EVERYONE is looking at Dotty except the one who is about to say her name. ~<3

  67. Coco
    Coco
    June 4, 2025 at 10:12 am | #

    Well, I didn’t see her until the last panel, so it’s not all fail.

  68. Astariel
    Astariel
    June 4, 2025 at 11:02 am | #

    Sneaky Dorothy is great, but I also love Joyce’s squiggly mouth of embarrassment in the last panel. Poor girl is regretting bringing up that topic.

  69. BorkBorkBork
    BorkBorkBork
    June 4, 2025 at 12:13 pm | #

    Just to be sure – on the last panel, Alice and Jennifer are looking at Dorothy, right? Or are they looking at Joyce’s extremely uncomfortable expression?

    I ask because during the rest of the conversation, these three are doing that cartoon thing that when they’re talking together, they’re not looking at each other, but at some sort of midpoint between each other and the fourth wall, so that we see them in profile. Then suddenly on the fourth wall they’re looking directly at Joyce, but with Dorothy framed far behind them, visible to the audience.

    It seems to read to me visually that the intention here is to imply that they’re looking at Dorothy, but drawn in such a way that we can see their facial expressions. Just like before, how a face-to-face conversation happens with them somewhat facing the fourth wall, this one happens while keeping the fourth wall in peripheral vision.

    It’s throwing me off a little because Charlie IS clearly looking at Dorothy, but is turned fully towards her, which seems odd because her angle would be less severe than Jennifer and Alice’s angle. I would expect to see Charlie’s eyes and not Jennifer and Alice’s.

    If someone could weigh in and let me know whether these two are looking at Joyce or Dorothy, that’d seriously help me out in calming this minor neurosis.

    • V98
      V98
      June 4, 2025 at 3:50 pm | #

      I think your analysis is right.

      Blocking sure is weird!

      • BorkBorkBork
        BorkBorkBork
        June 4, 2025 at 4:36 pm | #

        If you mean by that, that they angle themselves towards the fourth wall, it normally feels like the most natural thing in the world.

        After all – if there was a character standing where the fourth wall was, and was a part of the conversation, Joyce, Alice, and Jennifer would naturally angle that way to include them in on the conversation. Having these three stand that way is an unconscious welcome to the reader – signaling that they’re not eavesdropping or spying on a conversation, we’re a part of it.

        I guess it was just Charlie who threw me off. But considering the sharp change of direction, it seems obvious that they’re not looking at Joyce, but turned to look into the background.

  70. Devin
    Devin
    June 4, 2025 at 2:44 pm | #

    I feel like this is the most explicit confirmation we’ve yet seen of how far it went with Jennifer and Alice, it felt kind of ambiguous before.

    • Justnobodyfqwl
      Justnobodyfqwl
      June 4, 2025 at 5:18 pm | #

      I guess technically, but to be honest it felt pretty clear even when we first met Alice. The strip really drove in “Billie gets into codependent relationships with women she refuses to acknowledge”.

  71. PB
    PB
    June 4, 2025 at 2:55 pm | #

    Wait wait it’s actually GOOD that Dorothy’s here so she knows that Billie is the one who said this to Joyce and they can all set the record … uh … level. Not straight.

  72. wakeangel2001
    wakeangel2001
    June 4, 2025 at 4:22 pm | #

    we held hands while riding a washing machine like a discount sybian…does that count?

  73. John Campbell
    John Campbell
    June 4, 2025 at 4:45 pm | #

    Of course, Dorothy’s attempts to hide from Joyce are pointless, because Joyce can just teleport to her at any time.

  74. Jon
    Jon
    June 4, 2025 at 6:49 pm | #

    I dated someone severely Catholic for a few months and, as far as I could tell, their conception of marriage was a three-way between the two humans and Jesus.

  75. JC
    JC
    June 4, 2025 at 7:27 pm | #

    Obviously I missed something. Where’s the comic where she technically had sex with (presumably) Dorothy?

    • GholaHalleck
      GholaHalleck
      June 4, 2025 at 11:25 pm | #

      Dotty used a Maytag and hand holding to get Joyce off. thankfully no in college actually washes their clothes.

  76. thejeff
    thejeff
    June 4, 2025 at 7:59 pm | #

    Laundry room sequence, by her new definition of “someone you love helps you orgasm.

    • JC
      JC
      June 7, 2025 at 12:43 am | #

      Thanks! I was thinking more like… she explained it to her. This is a little more direct.

  77. The 25th
    The 25th
    June 4, 2025 at 8:51 pm | #

    Don’t worry Dorothy just has a bad bout of vertigo

  78. Grant
    Grant
    June 6, 2025 at 12:02 pm | #

    new power unlocked: Charlie can transform into Dorothy when comically appropriate

    • Grant
      Grant
      June 6, 2025 at 12:03 pm | #

      wait, no, there she is

      pranked again

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