This cartoon, a collaboration with Becky Hawkins, had an unusual writing process.

For one thing, the writing was quick. That is not how it usually goes with me. I couldn't believe how easy this one was. I have had cartoons that literally took over a decade from initial conception to completed script; this one took (checks notes) ninety minutes.

Another unusual thing: this cartoon was initially Becky's idea.

Third unusual thing: Becky and I co-wrote it, pretty much by talking it through. And as it happened, we were talking in google chat, so the entire exchange was automatically saved. 

Instead of my usual yammering on about the cartoon, I'm going to share the whole exchange with you guys. It's a bit too long to paste into this Patreon post, but you can read it here. 

Rereading my dialog with Becky, I'm struck by how comfortable Becky and I have become working with each other; we're all but finishing each other's sentences.

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As always, thank you all so much for your support, which makes these cartoons possible. I thank you; Becky would probably thank you if I asked her to; my cat, whose food you help pay for, thanks you.

I'm kidding. My cat is completely ungrateful. 

As seems to have become our pattern, me and my co-creators are working on a bunch of cartoons simultaneously, all of which end up being completed in the second half of the month. Right now there are four cartoons in progress that are partly drawn (three drawn by me, one drawn by Kevin). If all goes well I'll be showing you three of those in the next ten days or so.

Stay well until then.  :-)

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TRANSCRIPT OF CARTOON

This cartoon has four panels, and they all show the same three characters. There's also a tiny "kicker" panel under the bottom of the strip.

1. There's a woman with an undercut, wearing a jeans jacket, a black shirt with a cut-off bottom, torn pants and boots. She's carrying a shoulder bag with pins or badges on it. We'll call her "Undercut."

2. There's a man wearing a red t-shirt, red baseball cap, and red-and-white sneakers. He's got a blonde van dyke beard. He's either bald, or his hair is short enough to be hidden by the baseball cap. We'll call him "Redcap."

3. And there's a well-dressed woman with a purple blouse, light green pants, and purple wedges. She carries a purse and has shoulder-length brown hair. We'll call her "Wedges."

The characters are standing on a sidewalk, by a bus stop sign; there's a patch of green grass, a tall wooden fence, and a telephone pole behind them.

PANEL 1

Redcap and Undercut both seem to be waiting for a bus. Redcap is yammering on as Undercut listens. Wedges is walking into the panel from the side.

REDCAP: No one cares what WHITE people want... but when BLM protested, the police were like "sorry, Black people, we'll do whatever you want!"

PANEL 2

Undercut, looking a little heated, begins to respond, but Wedges steps between her and Redcap, holding up her hands and interrupting.

UNDERCUT: WHAT?!? That's the most ridiculous—

WEDGES: before you reply, consider that if you're harsh and combative that will make him dig in and he'll go even further right.

PANEL 3

Undercut looks up and scratches her chin, clearly making an effort. Wedges cuts her off again, putting a hand on Redcap's shoulder and gesturing towards him with her other hand.

UNDERCUT: Ooookaaaayyy... If you look back at actual news stories, there are tons of examples of—

WEDGES: Research shows people aren't swayed by evidence. You should center his feelings.

PANEL 4

Undercut explodes with anger, waving her hands and yelling. Wedges and Redcap walk away, Wedges with a comforting hand on Redcap's back as a single tear rolls down Redcap's sad face. Wedges speaks to Redcap, a sympathetic expression on her face.

UNDERCUT (yelling): ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?

WEDGES: See, this is why Trump beat Hillary.

TINY KICKER PANEL UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE STRIP

Wedges, looking rather smug, raises a finger in a "I'm the teacher" manner as she speaks to Undercut. Undercut looks furious and yanks at her own hair.

WEDGES: Clearly you haven't spent enough time in midwestern diners.