Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 13, 2021

That’s less Pirates and more Haunted Mansion. And Ox is about as French as moonshine.

By the looks on the couple’s faces, Gunther likes Tiffany’s effort and Bets doesn’t.

Sinceramente deseaba ver esta expresión de Bets

Called it.

I wonder if Bets will even stay to eat. Perhaps Gunther will be dining with Tiffany, or the harpist.

I wish someone captured Bets face when she saw the surprise. And posted it.

Classy, Tiff! Can my husband and I come? Yeah, as expected, Bets doesn’t like it and Gunther does. Gunther, notice that Bets is disappointed and is not filming for her followers? She doesn’t care whether you like it or not. She only cares that the event is nothing to film for her FOLLOWERS because their opinions matter to her. One more reason to dump her.

I’m wondering whether the harpist is having to play for tips. I can’t imagine she’s getting more money than the chef and waiter.

“Surprise, Bets!”

Is that Frida Kahlo’s ghost playing harp?

Also, Tiff ALREADY told Bets she doesn’t do pirates. She does classy. Bets wouldn’t listen. She steamrolls over people and expects them to fall into a line. Cheers to Tiff for standing firm and do what she does.

I think there are a couple of things that aren’t going to end well. The dinner experience is one of them.

Is that a tent?

Well, this is awkard…

Tiffany’s Table for Touche’!

Looks like Tiffany has a “different” understanding of what “Pirate Themed” means. Anyway, I doubt Bets will be taking any more selfies to post of social media.

The look on Bets’ face…called it.

Who is the harp player? Is she charging? Even at $300 I don’t see this as a viable venture, despite the free rent.

Someone needs to get Ox a Duolingo account.

Betts does not want romance with “Gun.” He is nothing but a living prop. She is just a user.

A definite lack of communication here , actually 300 bucks worth of it.

That harpist probably cost more than $300.

I think it would be perfect if the harpist plays Rolling Stones, “you can’t always get what you want”

….I saw her today at the reception In her glass was a bleeding manShe was practiced at the art of deceptionWell, I could tell by her blood-stained handsYou can’t always get what you wantYou can’t always get what you wantYou can’t always get what you wantBut if you try sometimes you just might findYou just might findYou get what you need

“What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

I think we all knew that Tiffany was going to take the money but refuse to give Bets what she asked for. Obviously Tiffany is in the wrong here (it’s not like she has some established brand to protect), and Bets has every right to be upset. I suppose there’s a chance that tomorrow Bets will decide that Tiffany’s decor is beautiful; the upside of a plot that makes no sense is that there are no limits on where it can go. It’s a pity to these two in conflict, though. Between Tiffany’s ambition and Bets’s positive attitude, they could have accomplished a lot.

Surprised! Bets. Or what the…..?

I knew Tiff would do that. Called it!

Bets is surprised because Tiffany went ahead withe the French theme, when Bets made it clear, or so she thought, that since she was paying for the dinner her wishes would prevail. Tiffany did not get the memo. I think Gunther is neutral in this thus far, his mustache is drawn in a smiling way.

Gunther & Tiff like elegant – Bets likes fun.

The softer side of being a cold-blooded, heartless pirate.

Am I the only one who, at first glance, saw the illusion of a jack-o-lantern face where that tent thing is the “pumpkin”, the chair backs are the eyes, and the chair seat is one side of the mouth? I can’t unsee it!!

The Haunted Mansion meets Pirates of the Caribbean—and Bets is thinking “arrrr…shiver me timbers…this sucks”

Bets talk Tiff into it by saying she pay her $300.00 for a table.

Good, Tiff kept to her vision.

Aww, Gunther looks so happy! I’d definitely prefer this over pirates any day. Nice job Tiff!

So…couldn’t this “Bait-and-Switch” marketing tactic be considered PIRACY?

Bets is a control freak, and more spoiled than Tiffany EVER was. Her way or the highway. She gave Tiffany $300, sure, but that’s not nearly enough for all that she wanted, and she needs to understand, SHE insisted on this, before Tiffany had time to establish a real start up. Tiff probably did the best she could with what she had.

What the owners of Fuse say about the new competitor?

Tiff went for the romantic French themed dinner. Gunnie seems to like it while Bets look like she just bit into a lemon as she say adios (or should I say bon voyage) to 300 bucks. Given Tiff’s vision and how it differs from what Bets visualized for her combo dinner with Gun/podcast extraordinaire event I can see this going south fast if Bets truthfully voices her opinion as Tiff is not one to take criticism, especially if she put a lot of time and effort into the dinner. Gunnie on the other hand looks like he appreciates the effort. If the dinner is for Gunnie and he likes it then Bets should have nada complaints but if her agenda is more focused on likes via social media then I can see her getting angry though I bet she could be surprised by the response of her followers. I bet they give Tiff high marks!

Anyhow, two words for Bets if she does not like the product Tiff put together: “Caveat emptor!” Bets! Live and learn from this life lesson!

Wow, you guys sure called it. No pirate decor.

I have a sneaking hunch that this will not end well. Someone else here mentioned that Bets will be mad at Tiff, and someone else here mentioned that Gunther and Bets will get into it. This ship may start sinking before our very eyes. Will the table and the dinner go unused?

I wonder how much harp players get paid by the hour.

I think Gunther is starting to see Tiffany maybe more compatible with him than Bets is. I bet he also is wondering why he wasted his time sewing those pirate costumes. Bets blew it!

A little Googling tells me that the average rate for a harpist is about $300 for the first hour, more for longer. Unless maybe Tiff hired a music student at a discount rate.

ok who called this first?

This is awful. Ox is oblivious that he is placing pieces of raw beef on the table and will be serving food too? Gunther will get sick and he’s our favorite character – this is distressing! Gunther is the inspiration to my family of neurotic pirate aficionados, and my parents were anxiously waiting to see today’s strip – seeing a classically romantic scene will most certainly cause my mother to faint on her chesterfield,

I have relocated to a Super 8 so I can avoid the reaction, but the vending machine is out of Funions! Can anything go right at all? Can we not see a cross over of Mary Worth and Gunther in a two month Charterstone special? The pain and pity of it all!

Wow Ox, some serious Spanglench there.

So is T.J. in the kitchen cooking up a storm?

Here we go!

No matter the outcome for anyone else, I do not want Ox to be wearing a rental.

He’s a keeper.

This is so beautiful! Tiffany has even hired a harpist and she seems so proud of what she was able to organize. This is her assignment, done exactly how she wanted it to be ♡! Gunther seems to like it very much ♡, but that’s not what Bets paid for… Let’s hope the romantic atmosphere prevails and avoids conflict, that Bets will be reasonable and not furious. Gunther deserves a romantic date!

That is a romantic setting and she is not happy about it!

Not quite the pirate theme Bets had in mind.

Gunther seems to like it.

Let’s get ready to rumble, we all saw this coming.

In yesterday’s strip when Bets was smiling for the selfie Gunther wasn’t:0

Bets is just upset because she wanted the harpist to play “Adore You” by Harry Styles, but she’s playing “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion.

Ooo…shots fired! Two stubborn people who are used to getting their own way. I hope there’s enough room under that table for Gunther and Ox to stay out of the crossfire.

Note how amused Gunther looks and how surprised Bets looks.

The harpist alone probably cost more than $300.

Tiffany: great at doing; bad at listening.

who will be left standing after the brawl? Maybe just Ox wondering what happened.

has Ox had a stroke? he’s speaking gibberish!

Tiffany just blew an opportunity for big publicity via Bets’ followers.

Batten down the hatches, mateys, there’s a big storm a-blowin’ in off the starboard bow!

Tiff needs to learn a few things about customer service.

prediction

1) The fight between Tiff and Bets.

2) Door slam Bets will storm out.

3) The Finale Tiff and Gunther enjoy the delicious dinner by the ‘Chef ‘.

4) Dedication To our missing friend Mordock999

What have here is failure to communicate.

To pay for the expenses Tiffany may have to resort to piracy (of Bets).

Uh, Tiff; what does “pirate” mean to you?

Yep, looks like I called it.

Hmm rose petals; hope they’re the appetizer.

Aha. Gunther has raised his eye patch and is really checking out Tiffany. Perhaps he’s remembering what glamorous looks like!

Tiffany’s business plan never included “Rent a Theme”. As she told Bets, “This is my business and my house. It will be classy, crystal, and candle.”

Ox’s proportions are weird. Those are some long legs. I suppose Bets will be disappointed that the room doesn’t look very pirate-y. She might chew Tiffany out, and later post the video of her doing so. Her fans will be very confused. “But it isn’t even Halloween!”

Well, it appears that Tiff failed to take her customer’s request. And, she added a harpist (a harpy)? That’s gonna bite into her profits unless the rest of the evening (week) is so pirate themed, Bets & Gunther get scurvy.

We may hear some “pirate talk” issuing from Bets’ mouth tomorrow. And this may be a watershed moment for Gunther in this relationship.

And this is the plan (for the business idea) as Tiffany conceived of it. Also, it is likely that she cannot conceive of a romantic dinner that is pirate themed the way Bets may have described it. Tiff is a traditionalist at heart… when it comes to matters of the heart. Unfortunately I don’t think Bets really had romance in mind. Romance is just for two and Bets always wants to include her social media followers.

Where Tiffany is, there also is Ox – in a menial capacity. We await Chef TJ’s appearance with the boeuf en croute, ma oui.

Can’t make bet happy

a slight gaffe on Ox’s part “poor doo” he means ‘pour deux’ (for two) but its sounds genuine and therefore fine; I think he imagines he is saying ‘for you’

So much for Bets’ wishes. Tiff doesn’t get the custom order thingy.

and cue the meltdown, in 3…2…1…

I can see it now. Bets gets in a snit and threatens to leave. She says OK Gun this is Sooo disappointing. We are outa here! Gunther refuses to leave. They have a big fight and she storms out, leaving Gunther and Tiffany to share a very nice evening together. Wouldn’t that be great? And I knew there would be no pirate decorations at this event. Tiffany made that very clear. But Bets wasn’t listening.

I think Tiffany is about to learn an important catering lesson and that is you always try to satisfy your customer. She could have just as easily done the pirate theme, but no. This is a major fail for her. I would demand my money back and refuse to stay for the meal. No reason for a fight, just tell her this is not what you ordered and leave.

I told you there would be pirate talk by today. 8^ )

I think Rosa would have liked it

Bets will find something to harp about.

C’mon, Bets!! Do the ol’ ‘Pirates Raid a Fancy Party’ thing and have at they!! …

(Perhaps the ONE funniest thing about the first SpongeBob movie was at the very beginning when the pirates mobbed the movie theater and raided the concession stand!) … :)

Wow…Holy Crap!

Just a question for the expert panel here – what ever happened to Knute and Crystal? I have not seen them in the strip for ages.

Warning. Disaster. Cat fight coming. This is bad bad bad. Noooooooooooooooo ! No No No No !

I realize this isn’t the point but is it even legal for Tiffany to be having this sort of unlicensed pop up restaurant?

Okay, there’s a good chance Bets storms out, trashing Tiff on her site even before she gets out of the driveway. Does that leave Gunth or (my preference) Ox to comfort our Poor Little Rich Girl?

So—if it’s authentic pirate food will that mean hardtack, rum and and ‘parrot’ cake for dessert?

Bets did not want a private, romantic dinner with Gunther. Bets wanted a not-so-private cosplay event for her followers. Gunther is just one of the props, and the wardrobe mistress….errr, person.

I doubt Tiff is aware of Bets’ overwhelming obsession with her media followers. Bets should have just asked Tiff if Tiff would let her rent the space for an evening, and let her (Bets) turn it into a pirate cove for a virtual cosplay event for her fans. Because that’s what Bets wanted!

Like I said, Gunther is just a prop and the costume supplier.

I guess Bets was expecting cobwebs, skeletons and treasure chests.

It’s nice that Luann and Bernice aren’t around to mess things up.

Going OT here: Does this strip hold the record for the most messages on GoComics?

Let the fireworks begin in 3.2.1…(making popcorn)

I’m thinking that Bets may have sought funding for this (e.g. $300) from her social media following (maybe 1 $ from each… as some kind of ‘go fund me’). College students living hand-to-mouth might not have that level of cash flow; she may be getting it from them and may need to reimburse with lots of good photos which she may now not have.

Well, I like it!!

And so it begins……

Everything else aside, I could sure go for a nice meal in a nice environment with a good harpist playing.

What about Ox? The boy cleans up real good! LOL

And the cute harpist doesn’t help

Here we go, break up time!

Bets is going to be upset with Tiff and Gunther is going to defend Tiff

Tiffany’s business is going to sink like a rock if she doesn’t pay attention to her customer’s needs.

Gunther looks pleased. I wonder if this arc is going to end with Bets getting the same door slammed in her face that Ann Eiffel did.

Hmm. New story arc? Bets gets upset and trashes Bets, in a selfish rage, is about to trash Tiff online because Bets unrealistic expectations where not achieved. Gunther points out in his calm, cool, engineering frame of mind, what did she expect for a prototype and for the money spent? But then he goes in for the kill. He says the most important part of the evening was spending time with Bets.

I liked Bets when she first came into the strip, then she morphed into this instagram control freak who does seem to care more about her followers than anyone else. Bets wanted a pirate themed dinner. Bets wanted Gun to make the pirate outfits instead of studying … this isn’t about Tiffany, it isn’t about Gunther, its all about Bets.

This is getting sillier and sillier. What, now they’re going to be served a small plate of dry vegetables? Who paid for all this and why would it be profitable?

3

I still find this frustrating….. mostly from the actions or anticipated actions of Bets.

Whether actual or only perceived thus far, Bets to seem heading for a sterotypical “Karen” sort of reaction here. I fear/believe she is going to throw around “Karen” attitude here in the next several sets of panels.

I very truthfully did not want Bets’ character to become like this. Yes, she is very media hungry/forward, but generally until this arc, she has usually been kind and generally likable even with her occasional foibles.

But, if she she gets all “I am the consumer, you are the peon.” towards Tiffany, that will destroy her as a character for me. Let us keep in mind:

1. This is part of Tiffany class assignment. She should have the most say in how this goes, as it is her assignment.

2. Bets’ $300….. I am hoping she has not transferred that money to Tiffany yet…. so that when Bets acts badly, Tiffany does not have to return anything to her.

3. Bets acting badly… will be, I believe, be a first impression for Ox and TJ and any other “The Fuse” crew that are there…. well….. perhaps not for Les, as he dated her before…. but for most folks.

* * * *If Tiffany has already accepted the $300, I think this was an unfortunate move on her part. She probably should never have done that and stayed firm to this being a situation SHE was in the driver’s seat about.

Called it!

Tiffany has failed her first attempt at event play for monitory gain.

Wow. Tiff went all out. Well done, girl. Well done

Bets could just take some photos after dinner of her and Gunther “ransacking” the place; pirates being pirates would make for a better scene than pirates eating out.

@reedkomics and others: I think Mordy is posting on ArcaMax, with the name William Wagstaff…

It is Tiffany’s business and she can do it how she likes, but they were both in the wrong; Bets shouldn’t have forced her idea across on someone who doesn’t share her views, and Tiffany shouldn’t have accepted the job and changed it.

When last we saw Tiff & Bets together, they were at a stalemate. We do not have any idea what they agreed on if anything. We don’t know what the $300 dollar fee was suppose to cover. If it was Tiff’s fee for the elegant dinner for 2 then the extra cost for a themed dinner would need to be negotiated,but we don’t know.

Bets doesn’t look too thrilled.

Tiffs ‘ ‘elegant dining experience’ is dumb and unimaginative

Gunther looks pleased. And it is beautiful!

When I saw what Bets wanted, Mon, all I could think was for $300, and you want something so elaborate? You’ll be lucky if you get a darkened room and a Pirates of the Caribbean poster.

Bets does not like anything she cannot control. She is a user.

Love it! The candelabra is something you might find on a pirate ship along with other bounty, according to some movies. Good for Ox in the tux and working hard through the French tossing rose petals! I expected that, well, not the rose petals. The harpist is a nice touch.Seems Gunter might appreciate Tiffany’s effort more than Bets. Wonder what the chef and waiter are wearing, if we get to see after Bets causes a row. She might want someone to walk the plank! Harrrrr! ;-))

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2021/03/27

There are those who say that Tiffany did not respect Bets’s request, but in reality she never claimed that she would do the pirate theme.

Bets’s expression is exactly that of a controlling narcissist who didn’t get her way. Tantrum to follow. And likely the end of Bets & Gunther, if he has an ounce of perception.

There should have been a written agreement as to the menu, decor, etc.

Isn’t Bets PAYING for a pirate theme? If so, then Tiff is not holding up her end of the bargain. And…I thought Gunther knew where Tiffany lived. That rang a little hollow for me.

Was there any point at which Bets said she was looking for pirate theme? Gunther looks pleased. He likes sappy romantic.

Uh, FWIW $300 isn’t gonna pay for all that. I KNOW what harp players charge for a night. That eats your 300 bucks right there.

I had a feeling Tiff was going to go this route.

She doesn’t want a boyfriend, she wants a partner in crime

Yep. They got Tiffany’s dream date instead of their Dream Date.

One problem is that Bets has been helpmg Tiff with her school work. Tiff isn’t a good student and probably needs Bets’ who is. So for this reason it wouldn’t be good for these two get into a fight over this.

The Ox goes bilingual. Well, sort of, anyway. I like it.

Gunther looks happy. Nowhere in Tiff’s concept was the idea that guests choose the decor/theme. Bets thought, “her money, her way.” As someone else posted, Bets should have rented Tiff’s home for her Pirates vision. Funding/backing a concept does not mean the investor has a say in the product.

Ox in a tux is good enough for his own story arc.

Say that after the dinner is over, while walking back to his car, he sees a kitten in the middle of the road, and there is a big black limousine speeding down the street.

After Ox forces the limo to stop so he can pick up the kitten, the rear window rolls down and the rich old dowager ask him for the name of the agency he works for.

She needs a new butler, has seventeen cats and……

OOOPS. Sorry.

I’m suggesting a story arc that is logical, believable, and actually advances character development.

For a minute I forgot what strip I was writing about.

Nevermind.

But all they serve is some kind of beans (“beanvenoo”).

So, the mighty Tiffster has won the battle; but who will win the war?

P.S. Good to see Oxford by Tiffany’s side….

I don’t know why people think this is Tiffany’s new occupation. It’s an assignment for a class. Maybe she’ll get a bad grade, maybe she won’t. I mean, if Gunther can get a good grade for making a dress for an engineering class, stranger things can happen. I’m just wondering if TJ is serving horrible veggies. And that harpist probably thinks this gig is hilarious.

There is a smile on Gunther’s face.

Gotta say, I love Gunther’s expression!

What’s with the creepy-looking teepee in the corner?

Surprise.

Not THAT bad an example of French.

(ex-ahmpluh?)