“Mr. Femstock” has great news from the university and he calls the university “they” so I don’t think he’s from the university, himself. Either he found the phonautogram in some papers that he owns or he’s in charge if investigating it for a client of his.
“Mr. Femstock” will no doubt come with nice, bright, shiny credentials as a Lincoln phonautograph expert (if there is such a person).
The genius of this plan is that Ms. Thorndike is the expert here, as a Lincoln aficionado. She’ll tell them if it’s authentic. “Femstock’s” role is to listen to her authoritative pronouncement about the identity of the speaker.
I think Silver is rushing it a bit. I would have expected him to go into the provenance a little, then mention something about the university—when they got the item and only then mention they had managed to play it.
Making “the university” a part of their scam is very risky, I would think, because that’s something that can be easily checked. Bea (or anyone close to her who starts to suspect something) only needs to call the university to find out if such a recording is real or not.
Auntie Bea’s all a-quiver with Silver/Mr. Femstock’s offer of letting her hear the tape of the actual phonautogram message from Abraham Lincoln! This is exactly as the scam should be. The mark wants to be scammed; Auntie Bea wants to hear and believe in the first authentic recording of Lincoln’s voice! Never mind that it’s a hoax. She will gladly pay plenty!
And since, as it seems, Honeymoon does not happen to be present for this deception, it will take some after-the-fact sleuthing to uncover the scheme and get on the trail, by then cooling, of the scammers.
Pequod over 7 years ago
Domain and Nitrate ushered in to Bea Thorndike’s posh lair
Criminal and con man best think twice and have a care.
To bilk the rich and powerful one must have a shrewd scheme
‘Tis not enough to fool the mark. All things to her must seem
On the level, no whiff of devil, transaction above board
The silly cow she must be wowed, never guessing she’s been gored.
There’s just one fact they’re missing. In the ointment spy a fly
Thorndike is known by Honeymoon, young sleuth with a keen eye.
Imoto Chan is swift and smart, a detective in the making
She faces danger without fear, in her boots she’s never shaking.
To underestimate the girl would be a foolish move
Should she get wise to these bad guys she’ll slip into a groove.
Use her wits and give them fits, she may just light them up
One fierce Zap and they shall nap, drink from a bitter cup.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Good morning guys!
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Here’s where research pays off …
… or doesn’t.Neil Wick over 7 years ago
“Mr. Femstock” has great news from the university and he calls the university “they” so I don’t think he’s from the university, himself. Either he found the phonautogram in some papers that he owns or he’s in charge if investigating it for a client of his.
Neil Wick over 7 years ago
SISYPHOS ABOUT 6 HOURS AGO
“Mr. Femstock” will no doubt come with nice, bright, shiny credentials as a Lincoln phonautograph expert (if there is such a person).
The genius of this plan is that Ms. Thorndike is the expert here, as a Lincoln aficionado. She’ll tell them if it’s authentic. “Femstock’s” role is to listen to her authoritative pronouncement about the identity of the speaker.
avenger09 over 7 years ago
In the last panel Thorndikes left hand looks like it has the mumps! ☆
avenger09 over 7 years ago
If only we could get
Everything we dream
Then all our disappointments
A memory they would seem
Alas that’s not the way
The unfolding of our life
Maneuvers all the bumps
And the twists that cause us strife
It’s best to test the water
Before jumping in head first
And a tainted cup to drink
Won’t always quench your thirst
Tikatu over 7 years ago
I think Silver is rushing it a bit. I would have expected him to go into the provenance a little, then mention something about the university—when they got the item and only then mention they had managed to play it.
fredville over 7 years ago
Be funny if Sprocket had switched the tape to s omething else, lol
Ken in Ohio over 7 years ago
Making “the university” a part of their scam is very risky, I would think, because that’s something that can be easily checked. Bea (or anyone close to her who starts to suspect something) only needs to call the university to find out if such a recording is real or not.
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
Auntie Bea’s all a-quiver with Silver/Mr. Femstock’s offer of letting her hear the tape of the actual phonautogram message from Abraham Lincoln! This is exactly as the scam should be. The mark wants to be scammed; Auntie Bea wants to hear and believe in the first authentic recording of Lincoln’s voice! Never mind that it’s a hoax. She will gladly pay plenty!
And since, as it seems, Honeymoon does not happen to be present for this deception, it will take some after-the-fact sleuthing to uncover the scheme and get on the trail, by then cooling, of the scammers.
jdb5169 over 7 years ago
ms. Thorndike is going to have a ’’thorn’’ in Her side,soon enough!
jonahhex1 over 7 years ago
Why do I have the feeling something is about to go hideously wrong, courtesy of Sprocket?
fredville over 7 years ago
Hey, if it makes her happy……what’s the diff? Lol…..
Civanfan over 3 years ago
Please tell me this is a Vitamin-style trick on her part. Otherwise I think she might fall for anything with Lincoln involved.