Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for June 05, 2016

Home is where the heart is, so the declaration goesBlaze sick of playing work-mule. Her consternation grows.Read the news today, oh boy. Dick Tracy innocentNotta simmers as she smokes, rues her predicament.She loves her ailing brother, hung his portrait on the wallFrom healthy, happy crime-free days before he took a fall.Before he nearly froze to death and Klipoff brought him backA sickly, devastated mess. Klipoff a fraud and hack.Yet those who said, “Better off dead,” must not have had a brotherOnce George was dead, as Notta said, they only had each other.She heaves a sigh and by and by constructs her toughest faceYet wear a mask for long enough true features are erased.Now Notta won’t take chances, feels it’s time to pack and runA life of crime is not sublime, nor joyous, carefree fun.

Exit, Stage Left~!!

I knew we’d go back to Notta today, lol…

Things are getting quite tense at “home, sweet home”!

Hey Pequod! That’s fantastic work today! I don’t know which piece I like better!

Notta is now dependent on Blaze when it comes to taking care of Purdy. The last time, during the fall of the Blackhearts, Notta left Blaze and off she went. Now that she is in danger, she waited for Blaze and then prepare to leave. Notta really needs the slave that Blaze became.

That is very nice long one on Jer, Pequod. I hope you also have the drawing talent of avenger09.

“Home Sweet Home.” Heh, not exactly. Notta’s ticked off, and Blaze is giving some of it back to her. This is going to unravel pretty quick.

I enjoyed both of your contributions today. Little Housemother is especially clever and entertaining. Thanks!

If Notta does not quit smoking, she will be the one using that breathing tube as she is going to need oxygen more badly than Purdy.

With the promise of Freedom that Tracy’s offer to her portends, Blaze is starting to feel spunky and to stand up to Notta, at least a little. But Notta has been rattled by the news and, fearing the advent of Tracy, has chosen to turn and run, to bug out. Blaze must quickly decide how to handle this new turn of events: Notta could be long gone before Tracy’s “two days” are up, and Blaze with her. Or not?

Notta is not fond of TV because she only learned of Tracy’s innocence from the papers.

So much for Dick Tracy’s “two days.”

One is catatonic, the other wears very little. Are we ever going to learn what those huge piles of dirty laundry are about? Are there somebody else around that we don’t know about?

Thanks for doubling our pleasure today. Your “Little Housemother” prose is especially fun. The idea of retelling the events at Piggy’s farm through the eyes of one of the participants (and years later) is quite clever. Sounds like Jer and all of Piggy’s men had a mad crush on the Little Housemother. And Piggy, he couldn’t think of anyone else by the end. Like his radio kept warning him, “Love is a Trojan Horse!” But he was so captivated with “Love” that he became oblivious to her scheming until it was too late. I like how you slipped Jer’s memories of Moon Maid’s rescue in there, too! The Bribery/Chin Chillar/Piggy story was a true classic, and the way you’ve circled back and revisited it for us in such a fresh way is a true delight, and greatly appreciated.

Jer’s memories of The Little Housemother and Moon Maid that came flooding back when he saw the video. Notta’s scent was unforgettable, too, as we’ve discovered.

Notta is hacked! Will she bug out in time, though?

Thank you, Pequod. Very nice work today! I enjoyed reading both of your posts. Thanks to Willy, too, for all the great scenes. It’s hard to top Curtis and Staton’s work, but some days I enjoy the comment section here as much as the new strip. Like today. Both excellent!

Finally back to Notta, and she’s stressed out. I would pick up and leave immediately if I was her. Putty Puss knows where she lives! Will Blaze be able to calm her down and keep her there for two days? I don’t see it. Better run, Notta!

.Good morning fellow DT Fans!.Late start again. Nice poetry today guys.

I like how Staton emphasized Notta’s earrings today, too. Featuring them in every panel except the first one is a cool effect. Very happy that he’s brought back her classic look, the one “Jer” remembered so well, too.

I can’t imagine that it’s all that easy for Blaze, Notta and Purdy to just pick up and go, given Purdy’s condition.

Love “The Little Housemother” tale today, Pequod! Many thanks!

Time to Bug Out!!!

Notta, jailed in the aftermath of Piggy’s murder and George’s death, initially honestly believed her brother not capable of murder. She was wrong, of course. I had forgotten that the siblings were orphaned. Notta married George at 16, becoming a widow very young. Her despair in jail, where she attempted suicide, was somewhat lessened when Purdy smuggled drugs to her. In today’s strip I like that the portrait of Purdy, with youthful vigor and good looks, is juxtaposed with his distressed, haggard face in the foreground. Crime does not pay. Notta’s iconic earrings get repeated attention from Team Tracy. Delightful. Notta’s caution may well save her, although I remain convinced that there are no serious charges that can stick. Great panels of the Chin-Chillars, Piggy and Moon Maid, Willy007. I think Mysta caught us looking in the panel where Tracy releases George from his fetters. Oh, she loves detective work!

Thanks to Willy007, fhofmann, 22ph, Night-Gaunt49, yumpinyiminey, Gweedo, Neil Wick, ybmps, Vista Bill, Marion, Day-Day2001, Chris Sherlock and JPuzzleWhiz, for the kind words. Very much appreciated!

Great imagination on your fiction piece.

The. Little. Housemother. Is. Awesome. Willy said it well, that piece is fun and creative! The little references about Jer being enthralled with Notta and enjoying her scent and fearing Piggy’s wrath give it a lot of emotional complexity, too. I LOVE IT! Pequod, you are really good at writing those prose pieces, and I hope you’ll write more about Notta and Mysta in the future. Thank you!

Might not the “Earth-shattering KABOOM” be far off?

It’s a remote possibility, but very unlikely. She’s lasted this long without incident. Anyway, we’ve had two recent stories end with big explosions (Annie and the Three Detectives that just finished). There’s not going to be an explosion this time.

Wouldn’t earrings that huge be somewhat heavy …

They are hollow and likely not nearly as heavy as they look. I would expect some stretching, nevertheless. We seem to have discovered the inspiration for the rest of Notta’s usual outfit. I really have been wondering where the idea for those earrings might have come from.

Great story. It reminds me of Tom Stoppard’s play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It’s also a great excuse to recap the important points of the original Notta story.

Maybe Blaze will delay Notta by thumping her over the head. It would be a nice going away gift before the cops take her away.

In the midst of today’s reader reflection on past events and the pleasing poetic comments . . .Joe Staton hits the Teams Sunday page out of the Park with his solid black rendition of Notta in panel 5 !

Take a long look at those beautifully ‘stretched’ eye-lashes – and savor the entire composition of the panel !

While the “close up” of Purdy’s face (above) - his closed eyes - continues to remind us that since his modern return, he hasn’t “seen” anything . . .But that long ear seems to ‘signal’ - that he might well be “hearing” and recalling all that’s being said ! (?)

I’d think it’s ‘time’ now - for Purdy to return to LIFE and take part in events. Would be unfortunate if he continued to appear ‘near dead’ in his wheel chair ! Frozen forever in silence, and unable to take part in any event !

As I looked over the 1967 strips I wondered why the Chin Chillars thought that hiding out at Piggy’s farm was a good idea? With a vehicle like the Space Coupe you can get to any place in the world in minutes. If they thought it out better they could’ve found a much safer place to hide out. I know, then there wouldn’t be such a story. I also understand that criminals on the run don’t usually make good decisions. A more recent example was the Nitrates. If they hadn’t stopped off to shoot it out with Vitamin and Candy Cane they would’ve had a better chance to escape.

It must have been extraordinary to be a female deputy sheriff in L.A. 100 years ago!

The Little Housemother

 

Jer had worked for Piggy long enough to be accustomed to his heavy drinking and numerous eccentricities. The pay was good. Very good. Butcher employed a cadre of body guards. They wore nice suits, slick “Tracy” hats and worked in and around the house. Pity the schmucks toiling in the oppressive heat of the underground mill. They labored long hours to tear down and transform the stolen cars that rolled in under moonlight. They couldn’t catch a cool breeze on the porch of Piggy’s house. They couldn’t feast eyes on the strange but compelling beauty who showed up in a stolen Space Coupe.

 

Jer had been in Piggy’s good graces since returning from town with a transistor radio. Piggy found a station that played his kind of music. The radio never left his side and was rarely turned off. Jer had soon been sent for more batteries. Even before the bearded lady showed up, Piggy was often found listening to the romantic ditties that wafted from his radio: “Love is the greatest thing…”

 

Jer heard but dribs and drabs of George’s story. Obviously, the Space Coupe was stolen. He assumed Piggy would order the couple killed after having them dig their own graves in his little cemetery. But something about the woman kept Piggy’s violent impulses at bay. His beady eyes, just barely visible beneath the rim of his hat, roamed over her body from bun to boots. He oinked once, licked his lips, and ordered the couple to the stables to earn their keep.

 

Jer would have advised against giving the couple pitchforks. But Piggy wasn’t one to brook descent. The couple would be shot dead before they could use them as weapons. Still, he stayed at the ready, shivering at the thought of those tines plunging into his soft, yielding flesh.

 

Flesh was what this whole mess boiled down to. Before long, Piggy had dubbed the bearded lady his “Little Housemother.” Soon she was working at both house and stables. She brought Piggy his meals in bed and served him more beer than was wise, all the while sashaying around the house in an outfit that left little to the imagination. Her skin tight body suit and leather boots reminded him of that Moon Maid gal who was such a dish. Yum! What a knockout. The bearded lady had spherical dangling earrings that caught the light and reflected it like the mirror ball at the Apollo discothèque. He could see she was nervous, yet she managed to exude confidence and ooze sexuality. He wasn’t the only member of Piggy’s inner circle distracted by the wench. None dared to stare too long for fear of incurring Piggy’s wrath.

 

Things started to get messy when Piggy ordered Jer and the boys to hold the little housemother and shave her beard. Jer was unnerved and excited as he breathed in her scent and lathered her chin. He began to perspire. Fearing Piggy would see he was enthralled by the little housemother, his hand trembled as he wielded the razor. Tears sprang from her eyes and she cried out that it hurt. Piggy order the cessation of the shave: “Stop! Stop it boys! Let’s not hurt our little housemother.” When the foam was wiped away two chin beards were revealed, separated by a clean swath of flesh. Piggy found this most amusing. Jer and the boys were soon ordered out, as the little housemother settled in to her place on Piggy’s ample lap.

 

“Love is a Trojan horse…” Things went downhill pretty fast after that. The little housemother spent more and more time behind the closed door of Piggy’s boudoir. Piggy was drinking more beer and emerging mornings flushed, exhausted and exhilarated. Thus distracted, Piggy threw caution to the wind. He stopped checking on the work in the underground steel mill, too preoccupied to tend to business. Jer ordered Piggy guarded round the clock, as his brain was no longer the boss.

 

It was no use. Jer was standing guard on a moon lit night when the cops raided the place. He saw the window in Piggy’s room rise. He saw the stunning beauty who boldly slipped in, deadly danger notwithstanding. Even as he took in her amazing figure, the moonlight reflecting off her long tresses, luscious curves and pearl necklace, he felt helpless. His brain told him he had pulled the trigger. His weapon should have torn her to pieces. Yet she stood her ground in thigh-high boots, unscathed. The room was lit up like a thousand flashbulbs triggered simultaneously. He told himself to shoot. To run. To no avail. He was frozen in place! The Moon Maid had aided the police raid, paralyzing Piggy Butcher and assuring his capture.

 

Jer never saw the little housemother again. Still, he had never forgotten her. When he saw Wendy Witchell’s report on the infamous sex tape all the repressed memories from his time in Piggy’s employ came rushing back. The “Little Housemother” was aging very well. Fit, firm and trim, she exuded sexuality and still wore that beard. The beard he had once partially shaved after lathering her chin, touching her face and breathing her scent.

 

Jer fervently wished it was him in that video.

 

Retroactively speaking,what I remember is when Lizz first heard the name “Notta Fallar”,she laughed so hard they almost had to call the paramedics.