Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

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May 12, 2026

Stability

by David M Willis on January 31, 2013 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - If the Shoe Splits
└ Tags: jennifer, ruth

Discussion (197) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. asdsadas
    asdsadas
    January 31, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    Billie has a made terrible mistake

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      January 31, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      I made that mistake before. Got home with a big black eye. The other guy on the other hand….

      • Link
        Link
        January 31, 2013 at 1:17 am | #

        Was he missing an eye?

        • Warpshade
          Warpshade
          January 31, 2013 at 3:26 am | #

          No, he was missing an eye.

          • Warpshade
            Warpshade
            January 31, 2013 at 3:27 am | #

            …And that is why you should focus on what you’re reading… “No, he was on the other hand.”, I mean.

    • AckAckAck
      AckAckAck
      January 31, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

      At least Billie is also fit and strong. Just like when she’s in Walky universe. Even when she’s up against super powered Sal at that time.

    • Gordon Blvd
      Gordon Blvd
      January 31, 2013 at 8:04 am | #

      looks to me as if Ruth is as “confused” about her feelings as Billie is………….lol

      • Gordon Blvd
        Gordon Blvd
        February 1, 2013 at 9:00 pm | #

        OMG my icon is such a win =)

    • Commander Clash
      Commander Clash
      January 31, 2013 at 1:25 pm | #

      Mistake or not I’m proud of her finally standing up to Ruth and seeming like she’s ready to go toe-to-toe. Ruth has been nothing but abusive to Billie. My friend in college had an RA like this. Finally my friend had enough and took it to the RA toe-to-toe. Finally result my buddy two black eyes and a broken nose, RA black eye and wired jaw. Both also had a quarter of their college credits revoked and a new RA was chosen after the other students had explained wha had happened.

      • aqua
        aqua
        January 31, 2013 at 9:59 pm | #

        i think the crazy part is that ruth hasn’t been nothing but abusive, she has also been overly friendly and bizarrely helpful. ie comming over and drinking with her, and pulling Dina out of the elevator to give Billie room.

  2. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    January 31, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Then… they kiss.

    *makes smoochy noises*

    • David Herbert
      David Herbert
      January 31, 2013 at 12:21 am | #

      What kind of girl do you think Ruth is?

      She’s going to drag Billie to her room first, and then kiss. Can’t let everyone know they like each other, it’ll damage her reputation.

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        January 31, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

        She likes it rough, I gather?

        • Indrome
          Indrome
          January 31, 2013 at 3:48 am | #

          She does. Very ruth.

    • Cacturne
      Cacturne
      February 4, 2016 at 2:43 pm | #

      bruuuuuuuuuh I’ve shipped Billie x Ruth forever

  3. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    January 31, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    Here’s hoping for some hate-sex. 😀

    • NCP19
      NCP19
      January 31, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      Not with that face being made I hope…

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        January 31, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

        Let’s hope not.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        January 31, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

        Only if Ruth gets to be the bottom.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          January 31, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

          Ruth would never bottom. I’m surprised you’d even suggest such an asinine thing.

          • Plasma Mongoose
            Plasma Mongoose
            January 31, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

            Not at all, you might be surprised by how many powerful leader types like being submissive in bed, hell a number of them enjoy being BDSM slaves and pay top-dollar for the privilege.

            • Robbie C
              Robbie C
              January 31, 2013 at 12:23 am | #

              Plus we know that Billie likes it on top: http://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-2/02-choosing-my-religion/eyecontact/

              • Plasma Mongoose
                Plasma Mongoose
                January 31, 2013 at 12:27 am | #

                Oh soo true that. 😀

                • Josh
                  Josh
                  January 31, 2013 at 6:54 am | #

                  Your gravatar has scarred me for life.

          • Aizat
            Aizat
            January 31, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

            Ruth is always on top. NO EXCUSES.

          • Chaucer59
            Chaucer59
            January 31, 2013 at 12:51 am | #

            You’ve got the wrong idea, son. Tips in the day-to-day world are more likely to be bottoms behind closed doors. They want to unwind, be tossed around and used.

            • Chaucer59
              Chaucer59
              January 31, 2013 at 12:52 am | #

              Grr. That’s “Tops” not “Tips.” Stupid phone.

              • keltor
                keltor
                January 31, 2013 at 9:45 am | #

                Let’s just say I have a fair amount of experience with this, but no this is a total fallacy except with perhaps prostitutes.

                All the people I know who are BDSMers and in positions of power in their regular life are Tops in the community. Also the media always seems to prefer to put the woman as the Top when I’d say it’s at least in 2/3rds of straight couples it’s the male who’s the Top.

                Oddly the gay couples I know are all over the place with respect to roles.

                • Toad
                  Toad
                  January 31, 2013 at 6:17 pm | #

                  I think the reason women are more frequently portrayed as tops is that showing a man beating on a woman, even consensually, gets pretty squicky pretty fast. Modern society has this idea that men can’t be raped, and are stronger than women, and a whole other array of things that are pretty unfortunate in and of themselves, but which all make it much more okay to portray female doms and male subs.

                • David
                  David M Willis
                  January 31, 2013 at 11:26 pm | #

                  Women are portrayed as tops so you can see the boobies better when they bang.

                • Chaucer59
                  Chaucer59
                  February 4, 2013 at 1:02 am | #

                  my experience supports what I said. I’ve been a top, a switch, and now–for twelve years–a bottom. You’re not looking far enough.

            • vlademir1
              vlademir1
              January 31, 2013 at 1:21 am | #

              That’s an effect that isn’t that significant. Best statistics I’ve ever seen on it makes it 1% to 2% more likely to swing submissive, which isn’t even a full standard deviation gap.

    • Blob Marley
      Blob Marley
      January 31, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      Your gravatar is truly perfect.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        January 31, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

        Danke! 🙂

    • Tan
      Tan
      January 31, 2013 at 8:42 am | #

      I like how the progression of the first three comments’ predictions is “fight, kiss, hatesex”. Obviously, I am in the latter category.

    • Indrome
      Indrome
      January 31, 2013 at 9:10 am | #

      I don’t think that’s what she meant by “fucking stability”.

  4. Aizat
    Aizat
    January 31, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    “Don’t you ever touch me, Tubbs” It’s either that or it could be something that the shippers dream off.

    • Cholma
      Cholma
      January 31, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

      “Tubbs”? Does that make Ruth, “Crockett”? ;D

  5. otusasio451
    otusasio451
    January 31, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    …Well, she’s dead. So, what’s Mike up to?

    • Mkvenner
      Mkvenner
      January 31, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      I’ll give you two guesses.

      • Azumango
        Azumango
        January 31, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

        ….And a nickle.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      January 31, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

      His hips in YOUR MOM.

      Nah, just kidding. He’s wearing his pretty red wig and slamming Billie against a wall.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        January 31, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

        Ruth and Mike are the same person???

        • Doctor_Who
          Doctor_Who
          January 31, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

          And now that image will never leave your head. Which is justice, because your scary-ass gravatar will never leave mine.

          Retribution!

          • Dibullba
            Dibullba
            January 31, 2013 at 5:49 am | #

            Eh, I have seen worse.

          • Harr0wed
            Harr0wed
            January 31, 2013 at 8:50 am | #

            I love that gravatar!

        • nothri
          nothri
          January 31, 2013 at 2:00 pm | #

          Of course they are. Amazigirl is a master of disguise.

    • Davriel
      Davriel
      January 31, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

      His index finger

    • Pinja
      Pinja
      January 31, 2013 at 3:52 am | #

      Rotting in an unmarked grave hopefully

  6. Blob Marley
    Blob Marley
    January 31, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    Welp, you did ask for consistency.

    Hope you like boot-to-ass. It’s Ruth’s favorite game.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      January 31, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      Unfortunately Billie’s about to become the consistency of mince-meat.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        January 31, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

        Ruth is going to pulverize Billie and then bake her into a pie. You know, for irony.

        • AckAckAck
          AckAckAck
          January 31, 2013 at 12:32 am | #

          Or Billie will pummel her into paste and decorate the wall with it. You know, for drama tag.

        • Chaucer59
          Chaucer59
          January 31, 2013 at 12:54 am | #

          Or Ruth will break down crying.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        January 31, 2013 at 12:28 am | #

        Rather than her normal consistency of jell-o.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      January 31, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

      I prefer boot-to-the-head.

      • Blob Marley
        Blob Marley
        January 31, 2013 at 12:29 am | #

        Nyah! Nyah!

        • LuckyStar7
          LuckyStar7
          January 31, 2013 at 4:38 pm | #

          People talking in movie shows
          People smoking in bed
          People voting Republican
          GIVE THEM A BOOT TO THE HEAD

  7. David Herbert
    David Herbert
    January 31, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    “I’m the only friend you have. Now doesn’t that make you want to cry more?”

  8. Mkvenner
    Mkvenner
    January 31, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    Willis you are going somewhere with this right?

    • NCP19
      NCP19
      January 31, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

      Unless he decides Sal X Jason is enough shipping/sexing for now one would presume so.

  9. Michael Michael Motorcycle
    Michael Michael Motorcycle
    January 31, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    And now we know. And knowing is half the battle.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      January 31, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      G.I JOE?

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        January 31, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

        Joe’s the reason we’re in this predicament.

    • GeekRyuu
      GeekRyuu
      January 31, 2013 at 12:48 am | #

      But I assume the other half is heavy ordinance of some sort? Cause, y’know, if you’re only going into battle with knowing, seems like it’ll be one short battle.

      • Undrave
        Undrave
        January 31, 2013 at 1:18 am | #

        The other half is red and blue laser never hitting anything alive.

      • AsimovSideburns
        AsimovSideburns
        January 31, 2013 at 3:40 am | #

        http://imgur.com/9nlJDma

        As you can see, the other half of the battle is evenly split between Red and Blue laser beams.

      • HLY
        HLY
        January 31, 2013 at 3:46 am | #

        no one ever said it was half way to winning 😉

    • LuckyStar7
      LuckyStar7
      January 31, 2013 at 4:39 pm | #

      I thoght knowing WINS half the battle. 🙁

  10. The Sound Defense
    The Sound Defense
    January 31, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    I don’t know where this is going and that intrigues me.

    • The Sound Defense
      The Sound Defense
      January 31, 2013 at 1:49 am | #

      Actually I do have an idea of where this is going. Ruth talks about stepping up to the plate after her dad’s death, then makes Billie feel like shit for worrying about shit as trivial as not being popular anymore.

  11. Steven Fisher
    Steven Fisher
    January 31, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

    Bille asked, Ruth granted. This is Ruth being nice.

    • Blob Marley
      Blob Marley
      January 31, 2013 at 12:29 am | #

      Even when she’s being consistent she’s not consistent! AAAAAGGGHHHHHH!!!

  12. Ridureyu
    Ridureyu
    January 31, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

    A boss? A bully? An enemy? A friend?

    Clearly, the answer is “A Pro Wrestler.”

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      January 31, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

      Or “A MMA Fighter”

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        January 31, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

        Or a new character for the Street Fighter Roster.

        • cdot
          cdot
          January 31, 2013 at 12:51 am | #

          you people really know how to run with a joke

          • Aizat
            Aizat
            January 31, 2013 at 12:59 am | #

            Comes with the job.

          • Dragon
            Dragon
            January 31, 2013 at 6:42 am | #

            better than running with a knife… or from the law…

  13. alicemacher
    alicemacher
    January 31, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

    “K, thanks for clearing that up.”

  14. Count Dracula
    Count Dracula
    January 31, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    All those other people we saw in the hallway are probably just walking away whistling. There’s no way they’d want to get involved in drama of this caliber.

    • Melvin Schlock
      Melvin Schlock
      January 31, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

      Not without pulling a drama tag first.

  15. Davriel
    Davriel
    January 31, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    Now THAT’S the Ruth we know & love!

  16. Blade dog and destroyer
    Blade dog and destroyer
    January 31, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

    And the answer is undertaker!

  17. Vabolo
    Vabolo
    January 31, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

    A bossy bully frenemy?

    • Valdrax
      Valdrax
      January 31, 2013 at 10:05 am | #

      She’s always bugging her. Bugging and fussing and meddling. What’s her deal!

  18. Weiss
    Weiss
    January 31, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

    now kiss

  19. Nexev
    Nexev
    January 31, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

    I have a feeling Ruth just has incredible difficulty with confrontations.

  20. J42
    J42
    January 31, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

    “WHAT ARE YOU TO ME?”
    “You know what I am. Say it. Out loud.”
    “You’re.. Ruthless.”

  21. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    January 31, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBr1uSXKelM

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      January 31, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

      whoops. meant for that to be a reply to J42

  22. bunivasal
    bunivasal
    January 31, 2013 at 12:28 am | #

    I never noticed until yesterday that Billie is like twice as thick as some of the other girls. Anyway, I made up a baseball cheer about Ruth:

    Ruth, Ruth, she should bunt! Hitting’s hard and she’s a—

    They won’t let me finish.

    • Blob Marley
      Blob Marley
      January 31, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

      slowclap.gif

  23. Doom Shepherd
    Doom Shepherd
    January 31, 2013 at 12:33 am | #

    My vote is that the hand gripping the shirt is some kind of a trigger, and something just got set off.

    This opinion is heavily influenced by the fact that I recently spent some time dealing with my SO’s having a full-on flashback to child abuse and the ensuing craziness. Good times.

    • GeekRyuu
      GeekRyuu
      January 31, 2013 at 12:55 am | #

      Ye gods! Are they okay? They’re seeking help, right?

      • Doom Shepherd
        Doom Shepherd
        January 31, 2013 at 11:11 am | #

        Oh, a week in the local hospital’s psych ward helped. New meds (i told her she shouldn’t have gone off the old onescold turkey) and finally getting back into therapy, she’s much better now, and home.

    • Pinja
      Pinja
      January 31, 2013 at 3:52 am | #

      Yeah, triggering a bad memory is what I thought too.

      • Gargamel
        Gargamel
        January 31, 2013 at 3:20 pm | #

        “Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, moulded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but BLINDING!”

  24. AckAckAck
    AckAckAck
    January 31, 2013 at 12:36 am | #

    Yeah, in fiction most of those “hate-hate” relationship are played for tsundere effect. But tbh irl it will be very difficult to work with. No shipping here, just a woman with a shattered confidence looking for a validation and a woman that hate that kind of confidence.

    This will end in tears and pulled drama tag.

  25. alicemacher
    alicemacher
    January 31, 2013 at 12:37 am | #

    With apologies to Norah Jones:

    What are you to me?
    Oh tell me please, Ruthie
    Are you no more than a bongo,
    Or, depending on the sitch-
    -uation, a buddy?

    Now if my BMI should fall
    Will you, only then, call?
    Are we Penny and Aggie?
    If so–late or early?
    What are you to me?

    • Makkabee
      Makkabee
      January 31, 2013 at 2:42 pm | #

      Oh, Alice, how I adore thee.

      • alicemacher
        alicemacher
        January 31, 2013 at 8:19 pm | #

        Hurray! Someone got it. <3

  26. Bats
    Bats
    January 31, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

    KISS! Oh god please kiss. 😯

  27. schadetj
    schadetj
    January 31, 2013 at 12:52 am | #

    Aaaand you’re fired.

    • schadetj
      schadetj
      January 31, 2013 at 12:52 am | #

      Well, I guess I’M fired.

      • schadetj
        schadetj
        January 31, 2013 at 12:53 am | #

        Shit, I liked this job.

        • TK
          TK
          January 31, 2013 at 1:29 am | #

          I hope you don’t think me too forward if I say ‘I love you’ for this response string…

  28. JebJeb
    JebJeb
    January 31, 2013 at 12:54 am | #

    That’s a quick way to get a crushed windpipe. Elbow right in the throat ain’t exactly comfortable.

  29. Aras Pabedinskas
    Aras Pabedinskas
    January 31, 2013 at 12:54 am | #

    You know someone is angry when you see their gums, that is why people hate going to the dentist.
    Don’t worry, I’ll kick myself out.

  30. JimmyP424
    JimmyP424
    January 31, 2013 at 12:57 am | #

    Angry hallway sex in 3, 2, 1…

  31. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    January 31, 2013 at 12:59 am | #

    People don’t want nice, they want consistency.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      January 31, 2013 at 1:06 am | #

      What if you’re consistently nice?

      • TK
        TK
        January 31, 2013 at 1:35 am | #

        still not as desirable as nicely consistent. Kinda like poop.

        • Narf
          Narf
          June 4, 2013 at 11:15 pm | #

          Oh man, I hope you won’t think I’m too forward for saying I love you for that response. 😀 I quit smoking 8 days ago, and that’s honestly the first time I’ve laughed since then. You’re awesome.

  32. Jon P
    Jon P
    January 31, 2013 at 1:07 am | #

    Those who picked Ruth/Billie in the poll were correct, because Billie is about to be boned like a fish.

    • TK
      TK
      January 31, 2013 at 1:37 am | #

      So, she is going to be ripped open and have her skeleton removed in preparation for being eaten? I am obviously not doing sex right.

      Actually, reading that back to myself, that DOES sound like a good hard sexing. 9_<

  33. oceanbeard
    oceanbeard
    January 31, 2013 at 1:22 am | #

    I go to IU, and I’ve seen RA’s get fired for pretty trivial matters. Ruth, on the other hand, abuses her position and is completely psychotic. I have zero sympathy for her as a character. At this point she deserves whatever she gets.
    Or, we could just wait until she gets hit by a car. Again.

  34. sandbridgekid
    sandbridgekid
    January 31, 2013 at 1:27 am | #

    Charges in the Circuit Court of Indiana versus Ruth xxxxxx: Battery with intent to harm. Abduction with intent to harm. Aggrevated Criminal Assualt in the Second Degree. (I don’t know anything about Indiana law, but those would be the charges in Virginia, and that’s only the events in last panel. Next strip will get to see Willful Assault and Malicious Wounding.)

    • Wack'd
      Wack'd
      January 31, 2013 at 6:26 am | #

      Lessick. Ruth Lessick.

    • Commander Clash
      Commander Clash
      January 31, 2013 at 1:34 pm | #

      You forgot willful damage to personal property and theft when she stole and cut up that shirt of Billie’s

  35. Sporky
    Sporky
    January 31, 2013 at 1:29 am | #

    Still trying to figure out what Ruth’s expressions in panels 1 and 3 mean…

    • Frenchy
      Frenchy
      January 31, 2013 at 2:53 am | #

      A mix between anger and sadness I guess. That why she reacts violently.

  36. sandbridgekid
    sandbridgekid
    January 31, 2013 at 1:30 am | #

    Or wet, oily exhibitionist SEXY TIMES!!

  37. Farmer_10
    Farmer_10
    January 31, 2013 at 1:38 am | #

    Well, this just got real.

  38. iggzy
    iggzy
    January 31, 2013 at 1:40 am | #

    Now kiss?

  39. Tarpo
    Tarpo
    January 31, 2013 at 1:43 am | #

    Enemy it is then.. moving right along..

  40. lightsabermario
    lightsabermario
    January 31, 2013 at 1:48 am | #

    You do not force Ruth, who has built up an ironclad reputation of being a cold and ruthless hardass, to express emotion or kindness in public. She wants nobody to know that she has a soft core under her shell. It’s pretty clear Ruth likes Billie, and her name-calling is a sort of pigtail-pulling, in a way that most won’t catch on. But the fact that Billie shared that moment with her when Ruth was emotionally vulnerable was supposed to be a secret, maybe even to Billie. To make a big scene out of nowhere in the middle of the hallway will erode her image. She has to beat Billie up now, just to protect her image, and besides, violence (and alcohol) are the only ways she knows how to cope with stress. She will be making big threats out in public, but if they get behind closed doors, who knows?

    One other added factor may be that this event is triggering something in her past that she is extremely sensitive about. If that is the case, then if they get behind closed doors, I bet we will find out what happened in Ruth’s past in Canada.

    • Joe
      Joe
      January 31, 2013 at 8:40 am | #

      Here’s the thing, though:
      When Ruth made room for Billie in the elevator, she showed every single person in that elevator that she values Billie more than them. She’s already been more than simply kind to Billie in front of a large group of people.

    • zerotkatama
      zerotkatama
      January 31, 2013 at 9:44 pm | #

      Cold and ruthless? I don’t get that, seeing as we saw last comic her being nice to two of her other charges. It seems it’s billie specifically that sets her off.

  41. Uniqueantique
    Uniqueantique
    January 31, 2013 at 2:07 am | #

    Either that, or Ruth just answered her question plain and simply.

  42. NinjaNick
    NinjaNick
    January 31, 2013 at 2:30 am | #

    It’s on like Donkey Kong!

  43. Blue
    Blue
    January 31, 2013 at 2:34 am | #

    …is this going to end up a race between Ruth/Billie and Sal/Jason?

  44. Jelli
    Jelli
    January 31, 2013 at 2:45 am | #

    At this point there is not a backstory in world sad enough for me to have one iota of sympathy for Ruth.

    • MarkReed
      MarkReed
      January 31, 2013 at 7:08 am | #

      This.

    • Valdrax
      Valdrax
      January 31, 2013 at 10:01 am | #

      Haha. I smell a challenge.

  45. Aesir
    Aesir
    January 31, 2013 at 2:58 am | #

    And then they kiss

  46. Charles RB
    Charles RB
    January 31, 2013 at 3:13 am | #

    Well, you did ask, Billie

  47. Pinja
    Pinja
    January 31, 2013 at 3:51 am | #

    Well this took an unpleasant turn : /

    • Pinja
      Pinja
      January 31, 2013 at 3:54 am | #

      $5 says Ruth cries

      • james
        james
        January 31, 2013 at 7:07 am | #

        before or after the sex?

        • Pinja
          Pinja
          January 31, 2013 at 7:20 am | #

          Within the next 4 panels, so before unless they both secretly have Robin like speed.

  48. Notebooked
    Notebooked
    January 31, 2013 at 4:02 am | #

    That’s a pretty good expression in the third panel. She looks either like she’s working up the energy for violence or she’s genuinely concerned.
    If you want to look purely at what’s there, Billie talks big and demands respect without giving it and Ruth’s a violent psycho.
    Alternatively, Billie doesn’t know what to do, being out of her depth and without the support of her friends, and Ruth’s fighting to keep her position and the respect it entails, something she sorely needs in order to avoid looking vulnerable.
    Basically, none of them are sympathic! Or both of them!
    In any case, we’re heading up towards the Friday cliffhanger, so we’ll probably get something unexpected. Billie and Ruth kiss licky-style and Joe, having been let down by the cheerleader, comes in to find his greatest dreams come true.

    • Notebooked
      Notebooked
      January 31, 2013 at 6:29 am | #

      I think this won’t end in violence, though. They’ve confronted each other publicly before, but they’ve usually gathered a crowd around them beforehand to see the prelude to the confrontation. It seems sort of late at night now, and if students woke up to see the R.A. just beating the crap out of some student without provokation, it’d probably get consequences.
      It’s interesting, though, that she says “what are you to me”, rather than “what are we doing” or similar. It implies that Billie already sees her as a friend, or at least potential friend, rather than immediate enemy.

      (Or not. R.A. stands for ‘Ruth Almighty’, after all.)

      • AckAckAck
        AckAckAck
        January 31, 2013 at 11:38 pm | #

        I still thinking you and many other people put their interactions too highly. They are both bad influences clashing in the close proximity. Billie craving attention in an environment that require her to be more independence and self aware while Ruth is simply being rude to everyone to spend her emotional anger.

        Meeting Billie who fought her authority back, Ruth is like asshole lioness wanting to reassure her position in the herd. So when Billie ask her what Ruth really want from her she “blew up.”

        There are tsundere attitudes and there’s just plain rude. Ruth is the latter.

    • Notebooked
      Notebooked
      January 31, 2013 at 6:32 am | #

      And I haven’t contemplated this: Oh my god what happened to Howard.
      Trampled during a Star Trek convention?

  49. james
    james
    January 31, 2013 at 4:03 am | #

    Now kiss.

  50. Zababcd
    Zababcd
    January 31, 2013 at 4:23 am | #

    Now Sal.

  51. Fes Works
    Fes Works
    January 31, 2013 at 5:15 am | #

    I’m sorry, but I had to draw a 5th panel: http://fesworks.tumblr.com/post/41937325333/i-just-say-this-update-on-david-willis-dumbing-of

    • Reiku
      Reiku
      January 31, 2013 at 11:24 am | #

      Nice, she looks like she pinching Billie’s stomach XD

    • alicemacher
      alicemacher
      January 31, 2013 at 8:29 pm | #

      Well done! *enthusiastic applause*

  52. Sailor_Arashi
    Sailor_Arashi
    January 31, 2013 at 6:30 am | #

    Now kiss!

  53. PureLionHeart
    PureLionHeart
    January 31, 2013 at 7:00 am | #

    Well that escalated quickly.

  54. Pinja
    Pinja
    January 31, 2013 at 7:21 am | #

    Poor Billie, didn’t realise she was taking the transition to Uni so hard. How long has she been there now?

  55. Gargamel
    Gargamel
    January 31, 2013 at 7:43 am | #

    Billie asked the wrong question.

  56. KaiserKris
    KaiserKris
    January 31, 2013 at 8:19 am | #

    The answer is kismesis, clearly.

    Ruth <3< Billie, forever. Violently.

  57. Jackson
    Jackson
    January 31, 2013 at 8:32 am | #

    Man. Between Monday’s strip, yesterday’s, and now today’s, I just keep wanting to give Billie a big ol’ hug.

  58. Andrew
    Andrew
    January 31, 2013 at 8:34 am | #

    shortly after this they went and had frosty chocolat milkshakes

  59. Dr.Z
    Dr.Z
    January 31, 2013 at 8:48 am | #

    I wish someone would kick Ruth’s arse.

  60. Tenn
    Tenn
    January 31, 2013 at 8:48 am | #

    “What, are you dense? Are you retarded or something? Who the hell do you think I am?

    I’m the goddamn Amazi-Girl.”

  61. Fata Morgana
    Fata Morgana
    January 31, 2013 at 9:02 am | #

    Now kiss.

  62. Doug Dean
    Doug Dean
    January 31, 2013 at 9:10 am | #

    OK, the portrayal of RA’s and the general meteir of this comic is becoming unrealistic to the point of absurdity (and not the good kind). My interest in this comic is rapidly approaching zero as a limit.

    • Doom Shepherd
      Doom Shepherd
      January 31, 2013 at 11:14 am | #

      Because in Loopyland, Rose is representative of all RA’s. Door, butt, way out. Fill in the blanks.

      • Jackson
        Jackson
        January 31, 2013 at 11:45 am | #

        I think Doug’s point is not that the comic is maligning RA’s (it’s not), but that the notion of an RA getting away with this kind of behavior is patently ridiculous and unbelievable.

        • Narf
          Narf
          February 3, 2013 at 9:38 am | #

          I think the notion of comparing a comic book world to real life is patently ridiculous and completely foolish – it’s not real life, it’s a fucking comic book.

  63. Heavensrun
    Heavensrun
    January 31, 2013 at 9:24 am | #

    Okay, so, a lot of people are calling a kiss for the next comic. I’m gonna call that Joyce shows up during and her brain explodes.

    • Led
      Led
      January 31, 2013 at 9:49 am | #

      No no, Joyce and Ethan shows up and when they see the kiss Ethan is all like “Woah… I’m not gay anymore.” and Joyce is like “Wait what.”

  64. Valdrax
    Valdrax
    January 31, 2013 at 10:04 am | #

    Yeah, honestly. Just what kind of job security does she have?
    Or is she just secure that no one would dare snitch on her?

  65. gangler
    gangler
    January 31, 2013 at 10:36 am | #

    What am I to you? Am I a joke, your foe or your sister? What am I to you? Do you look down on me cause I’m younger?

    Do you think that I don’t comprehen’? I just wanted us to drink a little heineken. Last night was the most fun that I’ve ever had. I even liked it when we would get mad at one another.

  66. Krimson
    Krimson
    January 31, 2013 at 11:23 am | #

    Definitely tsundere.

  67. Vinny
    Vinny
    January 31, 2013 at 11:24 am | #

    Good, Im glad Billie standing up for herself, dont get stepped all over.

    • madd
      madd
      January 31, 2013 at 1:08 pm | #

      I have a feeling she’s about to be stepped all over.

      Or kissed.

  68. Giblets
    Giblets
    January 31, 2013 at 11:25 am | #

    feelspocalypse

  69. nimoy
    nimoy
    January 31, 2013 at 12:50 pm | #

    Awwww, Ruth can’t handle the feels that Billie makes her feel. “I feel vulnerable, oh noes, hate that feels, damn you for the feels!”

  70. Spectre
    Spectre
    January 31, 2013 at 12:58 pm | #

    Ruth must have some form of RA tenure. How else is she getting away with all of this?

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      January 31, 2013 at 1:10 pm | #

      I have to assume that this is very abnormal for her. Something about Billie sets her off, one way or another, and she’s having trouble dealing with that. The others are indimidated by her, but she doesn’t menace them the same way.

      That said, I’m still expecting a kiss in the next comic. Or a hug followed by running away in tears, followed by Billie going THAT DIDN’T HELP!!! >8|

    • Aeyt
      Aeyt
      January 31, 2013 at 9:06 pm | #

      I think she mentioned in an earlier strip that she gets by with that iron grip because she has a good record of keeping her house in order. Nobody even wants to put a toe out of line for fear of her.

      I stole your face btw

      • Random832
        Random832
        January 31, 2013 at 11:50 pm | #

        o_O Did someone crack the gravatar code?

  71. nothri
    nothri
    January 31, 2013 at 2:19 pm | #

    I keep looking for the girl that sacrificed her life to save a friend from a drunk driving collision. I see very little of her in DoA Ruth.

    • Pinja
      Pinja
      January 31, 2013 at 3:34 pm | #

      Except we hardly know anything about DoA Ruth. We’ve seen a lot of her sure but do we really know her? No. We’ve just seen one facet of her personality with hints at more.

  72. roborat
    roborat
    January 31, 2013 at 3:20 pm | #

    Wow, I really hope that elbow smash is into her chest, and not her throat, or else someone will be in the hospital soon.

  73. Ray
    Ray
    January 31, 2013 at 3:45 pm | #

    All of Billie’s problems seem to be either Ruth-related or in her head. College isn’t so complicated. Go to class, do your homework, don’t forget to eat, sleep, and do your laundry.

    • Pinja
      Pinja
      January 31, 2013 at 4:51 pm | #

      She’s only been at uni for what, less than two weeks? The culture shock alone is enough to be upsetting: Like she said, everything has changed and for her, it hasn’t been in a good way. And life is about more than just the necessary routine for continued living.

      People need more than just bread and water to live. She’s lonely and suffering from self-esteem problems and that shit at uni fucked me up for years. She’s also got possible sexual identity confusion which for someone who seems to want to fit in the world is a certain perceived way is probably upsetting.

      It’s also less noticeable since a) It’s often played for laughs and b) Billie tends to put on a brave face. She doesn’t show her distress and she doesn’t back-down. It’s one of the reasons I like her so much.

  74. LuckyStar7
    LuckyStar7
    January 31, 2013 at 4:34 pm | #

    Billie: “What are you to me?”
    Ruth: “YOUR LESBIAN bongo!”

    • BandGirl
      BandGirl
      January 31, 2013 at 11:23 pm | #

      Me: *Claps*

  75. ridtom
    ridtom
    January 31, 2013 at 5:27 pm | #

    Mike hatefully approves this response.

    • Random832
      Random832
      January 31, 2013 at 11:50 pm | #

      So, wait. Did someone crack the gravatar code?

  76. Gamut
    Gamut
    January 31, 2013 at 6:22 pm | #

    This month of updates brought to you by Girls Making Angry Faces.

  77. Miles Dryden
    Miles Dryden
    January 31, 2013 at 7:32 pm | #

    Now KISS!

  78. Aeyt
    Aeyt
    January 31, 2013 at 9:01 pm | #

    I AM getting a bit tired of Ruth’s cranial/rectal inversion.

  79. Noel Schornhorst
    Noel Schornhorst
    January 31, 2013 at 10:00 pm | #

    Y’know, I totally wasn’t into the shipping of these two as others had repeatedly mentioned, but I am convinced that these two should be making out as much as I wish Danny and Ethan were. 😛

  80. someguywithakatana
    someguywithakatana
    January 31, 2013 at 10:27 pm | #

    … Well, that escalated quickly…

  81. John
    John
    January 31, 2013 at 10:48 pm | #

    You showed weakness, Bille.

    Never show weakness.

  82. Potatamoto
    Potatamoto
    January 31, 2013 at 11:16 pm | #

    PLEASE just kiss!

    • doodlebug
      doodlebug
      February 1, 2013 at 12:50 am | #

      they did!

  83. MerlinHurricane
    MerlinHurricane
    February 1, 2013 at 8:32 am | #

    Is it supposed to be “our” problem in the first panel?

  84. Govir
    Govir
    February 1, 2013 at 8:51 am | #

    Is the first panel suppose to read “your problem” instead of “our problem”? I can kinda finagle “our problem” to make sense, but it reads awkwardly to me.

  85. madock345
    madock345
    February 1, 2013 at 11:00 am | #

    “Fucking Stability” Indeed.
    Maybe should have phrased that a little better, Billie.

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