Thanks for allowing me some personal time off. I have about the next 9 tiers of this sketched out. However much I can get finalized by Friday will determined the length of that comic. Hopefully a bunch. We will see. Two Patreon comics currently being worked on as well.
Also, I got a ton of unexpected promotion from Facebook and Twitter over the weekend, so if you’re new here, WELCOME. Thanks to all for the mass compliments on my art. It means the world to me. ^__^
I’ll elaborate more in the coming future times.
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Oh, I’m actually early to an update?
The plot thinnens. Is he really after this guy for punching him?
Replied to: Jeff Jefferson | Link | Like
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Nah, they had to have a history prior to the face punchings, just not in the school teacher persona.
Replied to: Jeff Jefferson | Link | Like
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Your application for first has been conditionally approved, pending review by the official judges, if we ever get any.
Extra points have been awarded for not actually applying for first.
Replied to: Richard VanHouten | Link | Like
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A rules review is requested. Ten word minimum while not using the word ‘first’ in a way to depict the first posting was the amendment, wasn’t it?
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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I move that failing to use first in a first post grants him first status for the next calendar year.
Replied to: That one guy | Link | Like
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Query, are we talking fiscal calendar year, or one of those chinese calendars that are given out at the restaurants?
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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I was thinking Gregorian, but I’m amenable to different calendars.
Replied to: Jeff Jefferson | Link | Like
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The phrase ‘early to an update’ implies a first position with out declaration or using the actual word ‘first’. It is an unnecessary layer of subtlety over and above the requirements of the rule set. I move for an originality allowance.
Replied to: Jeff Jefferson | Link | Like
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Did I miss something ?
I do not recall anything like a Punch happening between them
Replied to: ShiroiTaiga | Link | Like
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The Punch was here…
http://shotgunshuffle.com/comic/guy-vs-guy/#.V-LCEPkrJhE
Replied to: Gnat Evil | Link | Like
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Man, you forget how much the art style and narrative style of the comic has changed. This comics plot used to be so normal.
Replied to: Haha | Link | Like
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Well, for a given value of normal. It didn’t really start to slip into sci-fi fantasy until Black Friday, I think. It’s always better to stay home on Black Friday.
Replied to: Muria | Link | Like
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Ratches were before Black Friday, so there was some out there bits before that arc. Also, with Rusche’s degree of foreshadowing, I suspect some of the more out there bits may have been planned all along.
Replied to: That one guy | Link | Like
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Like, when Chris is able to get Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan for “When Herb met Rosemary.”
Replied to: Muria | Link | Like
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Speak for yourself, I got a damn good deal on a 32″ tv for (Grey Thursday) Black Friday, and made it out of my local Wal-Mart within fifteen minutes.
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Whiteknight/10
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Violence ensues?
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“Shall we repeat the lesson” that is probably my favorite line from this entire series! There is so much flavor and sass, the confidence, it’s so great!
Replied to: Passing Through | Link | Like
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Badass teacher ensues, court highlights at 11.
On the other hand, knowing this address will allow for a check to see if the guesstimate was correct.
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There’s a deeper current here–Mr. Night’s exclamation, “Masquerading as a high school teacher!” implies that the sucker punch is only a secondary reason. Oh, and it does look as if the glasses are about to come off. Also, ‘widowed’. Chekov’s gun, I say. wouldn’t be mentioned arbitrarily.
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Yeah, considering Tarra’s presumed obsession with him, I’m wondering if that widowing was before she met him and he was vulnerable or if Tarra was associated with David at the time of his wife’s passing.
I’m also interested to see the glasses come off.
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Widowed? Did his wife know about his secret doings? How did she die??
Replied to: Pistol Pete | Link | Like
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Maybe his wife is Sister X???!/?!!!1///slash
Replied to: Pistol Pete | Link | Like
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It’s hinted that David was Tarra’s tutor (in what?), and that she might have been a bit obsessed with him. We know that she is the jealous type. And, that she’s willing to”take measures” to get what she wants. So, odds are, it was ruled a freak accident.
Replied to: jeffepp | Link | Like
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Maybe the same accident that cost him his sight? No, that headline would’ve included a death. Hmm…
Replied to: jeffepp | Link | Like
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Given how perfect Tarra is, what he tutored her in is either extremely unimportant (as she was only sandbagging as an excuse to get more time with him) or EXTREMELY important, as it would indicate he’s an extreme badass. Given that an apparently-ragtag group of people with varyingly impressive abilities have taken an actionable interest in him, it’s probably the latter.
Replied to: Jeff Jefferson | Link | Like
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In the first scene with Sister X, one of Dheu’s comments is “Where is David?”
I’m guessing that Tara learned quite a bit more than Math from our Daredevil-wannabe.
Replied to: Deepbluediver | Link | Like
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Like restsraining order procedures?
Replied to: jeffepp | Link | Like
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It’s hinted, and well, speculation will continuously run rampant until the revelation is revealed.
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Oh man. There’s always something sinister about the lone wolf, surrounded, outnumbered, yet still calm, cool, collected…
Yeah, if I was anyone but Tired Guy, I’d be worried. The Minions should look at the color of their shirts… they seem to have turned a lovely shade of vermilion.
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Am I the only one imagining him Cyclops-blasting everyone in the room when he takes his shades off?
Replied to: Mahanaxar | Link | Like
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Nope. It came to my mind, too. Though if Mr. Night has dealt with him in the past, he’s prepared, at least a little.
Replied to: Muria | Link | Like
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NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
He winks, nods, and places a finger aside of his nose, where by he then shots a flaming laser beam out of his open nostril, hurling electric snot onto Mr. Night’s wardrobe.
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No, I think his cane becomes a billy club and… wait…
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Hi! Long time reader, first time poster. Calling it now, Mr. Night = Tired guy.
Replied to: TrohJenkins | Link | Like
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It is known.
Replied to: TrohJenkins | Link | Like
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It seems, that according to the rules, that this may be the actual first post of the strip. However, until the appropriate archive dive and sub committee review, please accept this purple take out box of chocolates.
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That last panel gives me a kingsman vibe to it.
That movie is awesome btw.
Replied to: C00kieX_8 | Link | Like
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David’s next line, “Manners. . . Maketh. . . The. . . Man.”
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Ya’ll gonna learn.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOy6hqzfsAs
Right? RIGHT?
Replied to: BoxOfDoom | Link | Like
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YES.
Replied to: BoxOfDoom | Link | Like
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ACCURATE
Replied to: BoxOfDoom | Link | Like
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Maaaaaan, I said this last page.
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Oh, it’s on now!
The rematch does seem a mite one-sided though, since Tired Guy formed an entire army to deal with it.
And also, widower? Who was he married to? Dun Dun DUN!!!
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So if he’s 34 then according to the “Half Your Age +7” rule Ellie would have to be 24 for it to be socially acceptable to ship them.
Replied to: Mahanaxar | Link | Like
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Motion to abolish that rule from this series.
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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Seconded.
Replied to: Mahanaxar | Link | Like
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(Age/2) + 7 is the standard creepiness rule for dating (reference xkcd.com/314 ). Considering Blind Guy’s stalkerish tendencies, I think we can just go ahead and say “creepy” isn’t a concern of his and deem it as something he’d ignore.
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Excuse us, but the motion has been seconded. The time for discussion is after the motion has been…
Well hell. But you’re still out of order.
Now, the motion to abolish the rule “Half Your Age +7” has been made and seconded. The floor is now open for discussion for the next two days.
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Between this and Owen it’s starting to look to me like Ellie might have a thing for older gentlemen.
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David has to be some secret bodyguard. Tired guy’s room focuses on Quinn and relationships (she’s general Nicks’ daughter).
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I’m calling either robot eyes or endless void when he takes those shades off.
Replied to: thegeek | Link | Like
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Either are possible, but I’m thinking his eyes will show him to have been part of a similar experiment that led to Tarra’s birthmarks floating past her cheeks and becoming colored in. So I’m thinking more colorful and possibly giving off light.
Replied to: thegeek | Link | Like
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I’m guessing that David is only partially blind.
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Cool! Teach the tired guy another lesson!
Replied to: Ursula Erickson | Link | Like
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David’s first in line.
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This guy is channeling Matt Murdock so hard it HURTS.
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The getting real of shit is currently commencing, all hands brace for impact.
Replied to: Sigurther | Link | Like
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Dr. A. Heller walks into the scene from stage right and yells, “INCOMING” while he pops the top on a green labled can whislt lobbing it overhead off screen.
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Blind Guy, taking off his sunglasses as he turns around, says, “I’m going to do to you what Rusche’s schedule did to these panel backgrounds.”
(j/k! I know Rusche has OCD about detail.)
Replied to: Gravatarless | Link | Like
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Possible explanation. However, considering that Mr. Night’s subtitle is “the breathtaker” and things appear to be moving in a less friendly direction, I’m wondering if the backgrounds are indicative of an ability.
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I like the effect on the foreground colors, looks like a speedy vortex is about to appear around Mr. David Allen Stevens.
Quick, is there any TV show or movie that has a District Attorney named Stevens?
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So how many characters whose full names do we now know? Ellie, Quinn, Ashliii, & now David are all that I can think of.
Replied to: That one guy | Link | Like
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Ian Eagan, Daniel Fleetwood, James, uhm, uhm., Damn it, I’m going to have to ask Jessica. Uhm, wait a second. Blackheart. Chevyford.. I got it, Pecan Sandies.
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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Haha, Mr. Blue. :P James and Ian (Eagan) get last names but poor Richard does not. :(
Replied to: Jessica | Link | Like
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Yay, Jessica laughed.
Do I get a gold pecan sandie for today?
Replied to: Jessica | Link | Like
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Everyone knows his last name is Almanac
Replied to: Jessica | Link | Like
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Everyone knows it’s Almanac
Replied to: SeanR | Link | Like
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Whoops, doublepost. The first one wasn’t visible to me when I tried again. Sorry.
Replied to: SeanR | Link | Like
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Who is Almanac?
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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I was actually only include characters whose middle names we knew. Granted, for Ellie I’m counting birth name as we don’t know if she chose a middle name and what it might be when she legally changed her name from Lavender Erinn to Ellie.
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OH DAM!!!…..is he gonna end up being some white knight for those 2 girls or is he telling em to back off because he wants em for himself lol….I can’t wait to see what this “Lesson” is….and if he takes those shades off and reveals that he either has freaky eyes or some weird eye power….I’m gonna be freaking out and geeking out at the same time lol
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Personally, I am hoping Dheu appears again.
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I think Dheu is listed among the 52, so if he appears, it’s likely as an adversary.
Replied to: SeanR | Link | Like
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Maybe, maybe not. They welcomed David back last comic and we still don’t know who number 1 is. David or some form of Tarra have been my consistent guesses for that spot for a while (though maybe Wandering Girl is a possibility, but we know next to nothing about her).
Additionally, I thought Rusche said that the D52 was kinda’ going to be like a boss run for the end of the comic. The third arc will have I think KK and maybe others as main protagonists, so there’s still room for someone to move from protagonist to antagonist in that conflict. Also we know it’ll be likely at least two years in the future comic time, probably more.
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Ladies and gentlemen:
The following contest is a one against many handicap “apartment match”
The winner will be decided by submission or TKO
Let’s GET READY TO RUUUUMMMMMBLLLEEE!!!
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Wait, so he is not a teacher? Dude is implying he is a professional Old People Puncher.
His catch phrase… “SCHOOL IS IN SESSION”!
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Oh, he’s a teacher. In more ways than one.
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I wonder what the licensing and accreditation standards are for being a professional Old People Puncher. Is that a trade school sort of thing, or an advanced degree sort of thing? What’s the training and/or judging criteria, is it a long checklist or Olympic scorecards? Do they have their own section in the yellow pages in the Shuffle-verse? What other unexpected things are ok with what might be a dodgy consent form in our universe?
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It occurs to me that David is technically trespassing in Tired Guy’s apartment. Therefore David’s in something of a lose-lose situation. Either D52 successfully subdues him or he ends up in legal trouble.
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Can’t be tresspassing if the door is unlocked andor open.
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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I’m pretty sure it can. It’s not like you need to put up a fence for someone to be trespassing on property you own.
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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Well, if cops can use an open door that opens when a person knocks on it, then it can’t really be tresspassing can it? Besides, his excuse can always be that he wanted to check on the girls but the door was open, which would be unusal.
And he did knock, and the door swung open. It’s practically a non verbal approval to enter.
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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I’m not entirely sure about the legality of your cop example. However…
1) David’s not a cop. (As far as we know.)
2) I’m pretty sure a cop would still need a search warrant for anything they find to be admissible in court.
3) The panel where the door opens is rather vague as to whether David opened it or it swung open from the force of him knocking.
4) I’m pretty sure that “a girl who lives here stood me up” is not reasonable cause to enter someones living space uninvited.
I will allow that Tired Guy has neither informed David that David is in Tired Guy’s apartment nor asked him to leave. So David maybe has a little legal wiggle room to stand on, but not much.
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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As to respond.
1) No David is not a cop, however, the open door always beckons.
2) No, a cop does not need a search warrant for anything that the average eyeball can fall upon. I.e., anything in plain sight does not need a search warrant. However, probable cause could possible occlude that. Officer David A. Stevens, please describe to the court what you saw. Of course. I saw with my own two eyes… uhm… where’s my seeing eye dog??”
3) the panel allows the reader to infer that the door has swung open because of the knock. Given his super duper hearing abilities, (re: O’Jacks and the tale of the two ties in “Selective Hearing” (http://shotgunshuffle.com/comic/selective-hearing/#.V-Kz9iRCLTg )).
4)He comes bearing a gift. We have no idea how much of an ability he has to see with his eyeballs. No idea if Mr. Stevens is fully blind, or just legally blind. Or that he’s a guy who likes to walk around wearing sunglasses all day and wear sunglasses at night. Also, we know for a fact that he can’t put two and two together because Ellie and Kyrie don’t have the same face. I mean, Kyrie has no face at all. So, unless he’s actually felt Ellie up to see what she looks like, and his computer has a tactile reference interface, no way for us to assume that he knows that Ellie and Kyrie are the same.
Since we are in the audience, we know the irony and the backstory that is going on that the characters do not. We are speculating on situations that the characters have no idea what is going on. All we can surmise from their situation is that David walked into what he assumed was still the girl’s apartment after the door opened after he knocked. He then found odd things, like what seems to be a rolled up carpet.
Now as far as what he’s doing there? He got stood up on a date, might be feeling a bit insecure, knows where Ellie and Quinn live because of the O’Jacks storys. We know that Ellie might have some feelings about him, and he can infer that because of her statement that someone lost out on feeling her face.
Mr. Stevens, was present in that apartment on good faith because he was hoping to ask Ellie what the hell happened to would make some blind date stand him up. And sob storys always go better with chocolate, and the Chocobieb Shoppe happened to have been in the old Ace True Values building. It’s not like he was going to buy beer for this endeavor, as it would be their first time in the same setting. My client is a gentleman, if he is from North Carolina. (I doubt it, but how much farther North can someone get without crossing the Mason-Dixon line.)
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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In response to 3) I just can’t see D52 leaving the door that unsecured. I mean they haven’t shown themselves to be especially competent but still. Unless David’s knock is supernatural and just automatically opens any portal it’s applied to.
In ‘Selective Hearing’ I’m inclined to think the ties speech bubble belongs to Ellie since the other one in that panel must belong to David and given that I can’t see not combining them if they’re from the same person.
Also, “Given his super duper hearing abilities,” what? I think you provided an example but never finished the original statement.
In response to 4) I like how your suggested scenario kind of make David even more of a creeper. I feel down because I got stood up. To make myself feel better I’ll go speak to that impressionable young lady who got rather upset after I rejected her the last time we spoke. I’m sure that won’t be emotionally stressful for her or at least if it is it’s not my problem. Also disregard the fact that I’m her sister’s teacher and her other sister and I have a mysterious past together. I should bring chocolates.
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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I’m saying that in respect to the character, I give him the benefit of the doubt of being able to see. And that he was also looking to get a bit of advice on being stood up and if she wouldn’t mind going out and do mindless stuff up in downtown.
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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Rebecca was telling Merrick to watch the door. And I’ve got people leaving my place and they forget to pull the door shut at times.
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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I think for something to be trespassing, you have to have been notified of your unwelcome status (this is what signs posting against concealed carry legally do in Ohio, for example). With the assumed knowledge that someone else is renting the apartment, if the door opened on its own by his knock, I think he’s within legal bounds to enter and look around from either a thought that it’s an intentional invitation by Ellie figuring out it’s him or concern for her safety/well being.
Now, if Tired Guy, instead of provoking a fight, tells David that the girls moved to another apartment in the complex by their own decision and he even provided assistance for their move and that he’s now renting this particular apartment and requests David leave, then he’d be trespassing to not immediately turn around and exit.
I believe the law operates on a standard of “what a reasonable person would do” in that scenario and that’s what a jury would likely be told to use to determine guilt/innocence.
Violent action (which seems reasonably likely) on either party’s part would certainly cloud legality. On the other hand, if no one reports anything to the police and there are no corpses found, then the question of legality is somewhat sidestepped (as it was with the website). I’m not convinced if D52 wants the police, headed by Ellie’s father, looking into anything they’re involved with or not. Considering Herb & Rosemary’s conversation about obsession and “just a tutor” for Tarra, David may not be so keen on pointing out stalking Ellie to Herb. So it’d almost need to be a noise complaint from someone else before the police would likely get involved, and Tired Guy has leased a lot of apartments.
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I suppose I can’t help but think a reasonable person wouldn’t enter an area they know they’re not supposed to be in. You could argue that he has just cause, but I’m leaning strongly against that.
I almost want Tired Guy to resolve this situation diplomatically if only because D52’s shown themselves to be somewhat bumbling and they really need a victory to make them look like credible antagonists. Maybe something like, “Neither of us want this escalating to the point where the authorities get involved so hows about you be on your merry way, hmm?”
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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I think that part of the problem is that the reasonable person expects a door to be shut, unless it is visibly open. However, when the door is visibly or reasonably in the position of being shut, to a point where a blind guy expects to knock on the surface and succeeds, and it opens for a reasonable person who knocks, then the reasonable person can definitely assume that they may enter.
Replied to: shineyorkboy | Link | Like
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Well, since you’re talking about Blind Guy being the transgressor and we’re in the US, to be guilty must be proven to the standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt” so assuming fair legal system, he’d have more leeway from that. Additionally being blind would probably help the case in some ways too, along with adding to jury sympathy.
However, the presumption for an apartment door is that it is latched, so if it opens with a knock and you have a rationale for either expecting the occupant expects you or reason to be concerned about their safety, I think as long as all you do is enter to verify and leave when asked, you’d probably be ok (especially if you’re sympathetic to the jury).
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34 years old. Yup. Not the right one for Ellie :p
Replied to: Pinkk | Link | Like
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You damn kids get off of my apartment floor, or I’m going to call your relatives and complain!!!
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Well, after attempting to peg Mr. D.A. Stevens’ abode as close as possible to the school at the corner of Pablo and Eden, it seems that the above mentioned 144 Hibiscus does have a vacant lot next door as well.
http://shotgunshuffle.com/comic/terms-and-conditions-part-1/#comment-249866
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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Googling 144 Hibiscus, Lakeland shows a double wide trailer.
Replied to: Alec Horne | Link | Like
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Hibiscus Ave?
Replied to: Alec Horne | Link | Like
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Yes, I did that same search, however, that location of 144 Hibiscus, Lakeland in the trailer park does not have the qualifying back yard.
144 Hibiscus Ave, Lakeland, however, (Or East Hibiscus) doesn’t seem to turn up much of anything either on google maps.
There does not seem to be an exact address. Possibly for the plausible deniability on Rusche’s part. You know, “This story is fictional, any similarity to people, places or things is entirely conincidental. Pay no attention to the person behind that curtain.”
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Okay, so just who does LeCard sound like? The sandals guy from the Simpsons, Scruffy the Janitor, the “ooh ooh” guy from “Car 54 Where are you?” or Beetlejuice?
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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Sounds like you’re working for your car…d catalogue, maaaaan!
Replied to: Steve | Link | Like
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Uhm, I don’t get the reference. Who is that guy?
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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Thought that was who you were talking about when you said “The sandals guy.” The guy from Uriah’s Heap Recycling Center in that episode about Li’l Lisa’s Animal Slurry.
Replied to: Steve | Link | Like
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I don’t recall that episode. I remembered him from the episode where the teachers were on stroke.
Looking at my sandals, that’s a paddling.
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So it’s been almost three years since David punched Tired Guy. Might the first blow of this fight occur on the anniversary?
Replied to: Sam | Link | Like
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That’d be cake!
Replied to: mR. Blue | Link | Like
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There’s gonna be cake? But I thought the cake was a lie. ;-)
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https://youtu.be/sVjbIwI40AM
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*removes glasses*
*anime 3_3 face*
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Oh my lordy bagordy….Mr. Stevens is secretly David Allan Coe.
If he starts singing about the Okaleechee Dam, run for your lives!
Replied to: Steve | Link | Like
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Why not David Alan Grier? I could see a Maya Angelou impression working well for the next comic.
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OKay real talk. Are Ellie and Quinn, like, the chosen ones or something?
Replied to: Boomer Gonzales | Link | Like
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If Ellie and Quinn are indeed the chosen ones. What does that say about Sloth and, and uhm, wait a second. What is Quinn’s problem? Anger? Is Anger a deadly sin, or is it vengeance? I have the DVD, I just don’t feel like cueing it up because I don’t want “Fight Club” to jump in the way.
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Plot twist! He’s not blind, but a basilisk and those glasses act like Cyclops’s red ones.
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Picked up this comic from scratch last Monday thinking i’d take my time and read a couple a day to pass the time at work….PLOT TWIST!! I’m now up-to-date! Thanks for creating such an amazing character driven comic i will now glue my finger to the F5 key and await more awesomeness!!