Security Chief Schlock!

[mbarker]

I like it. A new broom sweeps clean and all that, you know?

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Guessed it from yesterday's, but that was no stretch.

[happyman]

Does this explain why dealing with the clowns is going to be Sclock's problem?

[ryos]

Well, I was quite wrong about the split police department thing (made sense based on the available information, anyway), but that's not going to keep me from posting more theories and wild guesses.

1. Lunesby may be behind "Zysk's" glowing reports of Schlock. It's in her interests to get Schlock into a position of power.
2. The fact that Lunesby used the Barsoom as "witness protection" for that murdered clown says to me that someone at Barsoom, perhaps even the owner, owes her for something.
3. If there's a connection between Lunesby and the circus, that would explain why the PD sent the mercenaries there to investigate.
4. The uplifted elephant hidden among the "normals" could well be another "protected witness".
5. Though we aren't directly told how Zysk died, the reference to musth leads me to believe Zysk was investigating the ellie, which did not please the bull one bit. This would mean that Schlock indirectly caused his death.

[mbarker]

Just for contrariness, it could also be:

1. The new owner is firmly in "their" pockets, and is deliberately trying to hamstring the security department -- so picked the least qualified member (and newest) he could find
2. The new owner is just plain clueless (never attribute to malice what stupidity hands out)
3. I still like the notion of a split in the PD -- perhaps Lunesby is behind Monobrow? Or he's just plain paranoid? Or...
4. What about the elephant wrangler? I kind of like him as the agent of Zysk's death... after all, it can be hard to tell where the first blow came from a well-stomped corpse?
Plenty of confusion left, I think. And enough players that we need a scorecard. Or maybe popcorn?

[Silk]

Way ahead of you on that last one. *tosses Mike a bag*

[mbarker]

@ryos! You got it -- Lunesby's on the case. Which does raise the interesting question, if all records are open to tweaking by the ghost in the machine, does anyone trust them? All Cretans are liars, says the Cretan?

Hey, do you think Schlock will get a mug for his desk? What would Schlock's mug say on it? "It's Amorphing Time"?

[Silk]

Ahaha. Schlock's poor ego.

[happyman]

Well, it just took another hit.  The Ghost in the Machine strikes again!

[mbarker]

I think Lunesby needs to spend some time with Schlock Mercenaries. A bit naive, eh? Who would point a loaded elephant at a target?

Hum, actually, that's an interesting question. Just who did point a loaded elephant at Zysk? Who is hiding behind the curtains?

[Silk]

Pointing a "loaded" elephant at a target... Well, let's just say that particular turn of phrase brings to mind some unpleasant images

Somebody make the requisite "pile of poo" joke for me, please; I'm too tired to think of the proper punchline.

[ryos]

Today's strip is one of the funniest in a while. I love all of Schlock's expressions, especially the first and last panels.

Who's behind the curtain, anyway? Who pulls the levers and tells the lies? Giants roam the land today, gaining dominance with every stride.

(If you know me, you'll know that I am, naturally, quoting a song.)

Does anyone remember when Schlock aimed an elephant at a target? I can't think of an instance, and now it's going to bug me.

Edit: Also, this is the first time I've ever seen Schlock fear for his own safety.

[Silk]

Who's behind the curtain, anyway? Who pulls the levers and tells the lies? Giants roam the land today, gaining dominance with every stride.

(If you know me, you'll know that I am, naturally, quoting a song.)

YES! I knew I couldn't be the only one who does that!

Ahem.

RE: Schlock's safety, I think you're right. May the wonders never cease.

Also, now I want Howard to draw a picture of Schlock aiming an elephant.

[mbarker]

Hum... I don't have the books handy, but didn't Schlock have a traumatic encounter with clowns and circuses before? So perhaps the fear is from that? Going back into the scary place, where bad things happen to young amorphs and their friends?