Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for September 24, 2020

I never thought Calvin would be a welcher.

good time to quit your gambling habit, Calvin?

Pay up, Sucker!

you’re burying your own grave, Calvin

Calvin’s problem is that after his dad taught him a way to do addition, he went off on a fantasy journey instead, as usual.

If Calvin wins, he’ll feel bad about saying “bets off.”

I love that Calvin thinks 104 is an answer on the quiz where the first problem was “6+5.”

The last time this happened to me? When I was doing the written part of a forklift training course I was taking about 7 years ago. It was a single sheet test with 20 questions on it… And another 20 questions on the other side. Of course I didn’t realize this until the time was up, so I had to do exactly what Calvin did in the second panel. Luckily for me, however, is that I got most of the answers right… ;-)

If only winning money was THIS easy…

Don’t try that with the mob Calvin; you’ll be swimmin’ with the fishes.

A fool and his money …

I’m impressed that young Suzy used the comparative and not the superlative, as most youngsters might.

Now I’m sure this is trump as a child!

“You might as well give me the quarter now and save yourself from the humilation.”

It’s Spaceman Spiff’s fault! He has to work a lot faster than that! :-)

It’s a shame, I feel sorry for the poor guy…..

“Where did the time go??” Time dilation is rough on this little guy.

I sense Calvin may have just guessed his way out of the test. Possibly a C or B-

You know, I love this strip but I’d love more to smack Calvin upside the head!!!

Susie sure looks comfortable, smug even, being in the driver’s seat.

too late for “gambler’s remorse”, Calvin!

That last line works well in the casinos.

When his dad sees his score, Calvin’s time really will be up.

This strip just reminds me how much I hated school.

Worlds are colliding and Calvin is trapped in between them.

Come on Calvin, Spaceman Spiff never welshes.

A good lesson in subtraction.

Susie is rightly counting her money already.

Why gambling is a bad idea.

You would think this story couldn’t make me think less of Calvin than stealing Suzie’s doll. But it does.

Undo! Undo!

It reminds me of a maddening card game we had, called “Set.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_(card_game)

The rules stipulated that if somebody called “set!” and failed to pick up a set they lost a point. The most common exclamation we heard while playing was “set! no.” Still cost a point. Our 8 year old daughter usually took us to the cleaners.

Yeah, right Calvin. Try telling your Bookie that in 20 years.

Wasted too much time Calvin.

COWARD!!!!

Well, Calvin had a method for solving the problem – which had a consistency to it … wasn’t right, but a method none the less …

That’s like saying, “You’re digging your own shovel!”

Never let ’em see you sweat.

Time for Calvin to call 1-800-BETS-OFF

No bets! No gambles! No turning back!

Spiff slacked and day dreamed.

Suzie will send Guido to collect the bet.

ADHD

Only one person can save him now, STUPENDOUS MAN!

I’m no Calvin – not hyperactive at all – but with ADD, I feel his pain.

In school, I was great at math, but I use very little in my daily life. Unless you count adding up the billable hours.

Hobbs would be a gentleman, step up and honor the bet.

I feel for Calvin. If this was real life and in an enlightened country that values education then Calvin would get some help.

Uh, uh, Calvin, no welching…

Calvin’s mistake was bringing a quarter to school instead of a pocket full of pennies. With pennies, he could have remembered his father’s lesson and counted five and then six and have the answer. Of course, being Calvin, he wouldn’t do anything so simple and logical.

Susie: Make the little Bstd pay up.

This is also known as ‘inviting the bull to hit me’ in eastern part of the world.