Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for February 16, 1989

She’s definitely up to something.

Calvin is up to something too—going into a fantasy, and not preparing for the onslaught.

You’re a whip, Calvin.

Suppose that Rosalyn called the Fire Department for real.

Calvin (hears a knock on the locked bathroom door): Who is it?

Firefighters: It’s the Fire Department. Open this door, or we’ll chop it down.

Calvin (unlocks the door): Golly, you’re real firefighters with real axes!

Firefighters: That we are. Young man, your baby-sitter told us that you locked yourself—and your toy tiger—in here and threatened to flush her science notes down the toilet. Why?

Calvin (shrugs): Just for a joke.

Firefighters: Well, it’s not a particularly funny one.

Rosalyn: You can say that again.

Firefighters: Also, Miss, why did you come over to baby-sit when you had a test to study for? And why did his parents approve of this?

Rosalyn: Hmmmm…good point.

Firefighters (to Calvin): So, you like tigers?

Calvin: Yeah, and dinosaurs.

Firefighters (to Rosalyn): Miss, do you share his interest in them?

Rosalyn: No, not really.

Firefighters: Perhaps if you did, the two of you would have more fun together. Why not learn about tigers and/or dinosaurs when you’ve got time?

Rosalyn: I see what you mean. Well, Calvin, I guess we’ve both learned something tonight.

Calvin: I guess so.

(he hands Rosalyn back her science notes)

Calvin (to the firefighters): Can Hobbes and I see your vehicle?

Firefighters: All right.

(They lead Calvin, who of course brings Hobbes, outside to see their vehicle, the rescue van)

Calvin: You didn’t drive your biggest truck, the tiller rig?

Firefighters: That’s right, because there was no fire, and the emergency was a second floor. Therefore, this sufficed.

Calvin: Oh; well, it still looks cool.

Firefighters: Thanks. Check this out.

(They open one of the van’s compartments, and show Calvin their rescue tool known as the Jaws of Life)

Calvin (excited): Wow! Is that really used to pry open crushed cars?

Firefighters: It is indeed.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

(Later, Calvin’s parents return home)

Firefighters (to Calvin’s parents): Good evening, folks. It seems that your son has made trouble for his baby-sitter tonight.

Calvin’s Mom (sarcastically): What else is new?

Firefighters: Listen, we’ve just been talking to her, and to him, and we believe that they’d get along better if she shared his interest in tigers and dinosaurs.

Calvin’s Dad (chuckling): And discussing the world’s problems, no doubt.

Firefighters: Exactly. Also, we don’t think you should’ve gone out and had her baby-sit when she had a test to study for.

Calvin’s Mom: Come to think of it, maybe his Dad and I should also take an interest in those topics, and then we might get along better with Calvin ourselves. Thank you.

Firefighters: You’re welcome. Good night.

(The firefighters get into their van and depart)