For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 29, 2021

hello, Artie

“He’s gonna show me how to do really cool tire burnouts!”

I wouldn’t trust him with a bicycle, let alone a car…

I suspect Mike is going to Elly with this request because John has already told him he is not driving until he pays for his own gas and insurance, and Michael is counting on the idea that John has not told Elly about this. (And he appears to be right).

Nevertheless, if this is Michael’s scheme with Artie (a character we have never seen before and never will see again), then he is showing just how little he knows about his mother. Michael would need to bring in some Joe College, preppie, responsible type to impress her. After all, Elly showed us with Martha last summer that she judges people based on how they look and dress.

I have no idea why Michael does not know this (aside from to set up the joke). Elly would not let Michael drive with Artie or even have a game of checkers with Artie. She has her arms crossed and her eyes have become submerged. If Artie is smart, he will start running now.

Mike, even for a teenager you’re a fool, that friend of yours has the word trouble written all over him!

You are do impatient Michael

See her crossed arms, Mike? She ain’t bending. You’re not fooling her. This is not a friend of yours – just a kid who is old enough to have a driver’s license.

If I were writing this strip, I’d have Artie be a very conscientious driver, keeping under the limit and carefully watching out for other drivers.

Oh nos, Artie is funny-looking (clutches pearls).

I recall that, “back in the day” in Florida, when I got my learner’s permit at 14, the restrictions were “with a licensed driver, but not at night”. Unrestricted license at 16 upon passing a written and closed course driving test.

Michael sure is one self-entitled Asshat..

Is Elly wearing a clerical collar? Has she received The Call?

Even Artie doesn’t want Michael to drive his car.

Luckily, this is a short-lived “friendship”. Not like his true buddies Lawrence and Gordon.

A Learners Permit is just that. A permit TO LEARN. Take a driving class or have your parents teach you. Start in a parking lot and move on to neighborhood roads, then to secondary, less-traveled roads. And NOT with a “kid” who just got HIS license. I think someone above stated the other driver must be 25+. I think that’s right.

Why is the concept of the word "NO’ so hard for some people to grasp ???

Canadian bad boy.

Mike is not helping his case any.

Here in NH, there are no learner’s permits. Once you hit 15-1/2, you’re allowed to drive as long as a licensed driver over the age of 18 is with you…but you have to be 16 to get your license.

As my kids got their permits, they had to have either me or their mother in the car with them for their first thousand miles of driving. Kept a log to insure compliance. They hated me, but that’s okay.

Sometimes, Mike, you are still just a jerky kid.

It’s a good thing Mike did not become a lawyer. I think his client’s character witnesses would be less than compelling.

The difference between of being legal and being able. You can do anything as long as the law doesn’t say you can’t. You can’t do anything until your parents say you can. …for a few years.

Because it’s my car. I pay for the insurance and I say who the adult will be. You get to agree to my terms or not drive.

Not until we’ve checked his teeth!

Was watching The Fresh Prince of Bel Air on BET which made me think of this strip’s story arc, where Will bought an old car.

Will: “This car has subwoofers!”

Uncle Phil: “Do you have insurance?”

Will: “This car has white wall tires!”

Uncle Phil: “Did you get it insured?”

Will: “It has bucket seats, like in the 50s!”

Uncle Phil{annoyed}: "Do you have automobile insurance? Yes or no. ANSWER ME!

Will{sheepish}: “Uh, I forgot..”

Uncle Phil: “That settles it. Until I see some insurance papers on my desk, this car is not being driven one millimeter.”

Just that request should cause his license to be revoked.

Umm, I’m 61 and when I got my permit my mom had to sign for it.

Artie has the night off from what?

In my state, on a temporary license, the student driver needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian only, and needs 50 hours of supervised driving before they move to the next step.

Mike correctly summed up his life in the third panel: “This entitles me…”

Gonna take Artie to the vet for a flea dip? Because he looks like he could use one.

One point for mom, minus point on Michael.

Don’t think so…..

“NOT my car” she said and means it. Add no way & never.

I had a dress like Elly’s in the 70’s. It was polyester and I wore it to funerals. I did wear it to church one Easter back then. With a new straw hat with red Poppies on it.

The magic word: “entitles”

Artie looks like that crazy lazy cousin of John’s…

Now, now, lets not be all judgy about Artie’s appearance! He could be a very good driver.

Wait, is that Jeremy’s friend, Pierce?

Mike you use the word entitled! Driving is not a entitled or a right it’s a privilege!

Did Mike later have a good friend who looked similar, or am I thinking abt a different comic?

Just because you CAN drive, Mike, doesn’t mean you MAY drive, especially Mom’s car.

Has Michael had any driver’s training at all? From school or his parents? You don’t just get in a car and know how to drive.

No f#@%in’ way.

Mike seems to have forgotten what happened with Gordy, and Elly knows HIM. Why would she allow someone she doesn’t know take her car any place??? Come on,Mike!!

This is why the licensed driver must be at least 25 in California.

When I got old enough to get my Learners permit, I had to earn the price, and only 1 driving supervisor(Dad’s car, Dad taught). Friends of mine not only had to pay for their permits, but buy their own car to learn on(Their insurance).

Oh…well that makes a difference…