Actually – not all stations stopped then, nor did all stop at the same time. New Jersey unions helped create state laws that required no-self-service, and some stations kept up the courtesy checks for quite a while.
So did Earl spcifically request the leftover zuchini casserole – specifically so he could become the kid’s “new number one” again by offering pizza instead?
Looking at the hat in Chicken’s hand in panels 1 & 2, this is the same hat cow is wearing in panel 3? Is chicken sewing? or weaving/crochet/knitting?