Elephant Town Chapter 8 (pages 19-20)

Love the foot thing!

Oh, fer shure...! All this reminded me of an evening when my policy of seeking an Escape Room paid off big-time. I was speaking at a weeklong university conference which assembled a hundred professionals from all over the arts, sciences, politics, etc. to engage in panel discussions that were open to the public. The Friday night party for all of the folks associated with the conference packed like a thousand people (or least it seemed) into a stately old Victorian owned by the university. A classic environment where I'm desperate to find that room where I can be alone and not have to speak to anybody or have anybody speaking to me. I found it in the form of a sort of salon with a baby grand piano, where the three-piece music combo were entertaining everyone all night. The band was on dinner break, which left the room deserted. I gratefully took a seat on the sofa and tipped my hat down over my eyes as a form of "Do Not Disturb" sign. My peace was broken by the sound of two people entering the room. One of them sounded like a giggling female college student. I lifted my hat for a peek. One of my fellow speakers (a jazz musician who's won multiple Grammys and an Academy Award) was pulling the young woman into the room and towards the piano. She was protesting and giggling in a way that clearly communicated "I have to make _some_ display of being embarrassed and timid about this, I suppose, even though OH MY GOD DAVE GRUSIN HAS ASKED ME TO SING FOR HIM WHILE HE ACCOMPANIES ME ON PIANO OMG WHEN I TOLD HIM I WAS MAJORING IN VOICE I WAS HOPING SOMETHING EXACTLY LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN" Like, _adorable._ They take no particular notice of the nerd on the sofa. Dave launches into "Autumn Leaves," trading jazz improvs with the student, and I'm their sole audience for like two or three whole minutes. Which was, apparently, how long it took for the sound of the music to penetrate the thick wall of party conversation. Because a hundred people or so were like "OMG DAVE GRUSIN IS PERFORMING" and most of them flowed into the music room. (Adorable, Part 2: ...followed by the band, moving as fast as they could without dumping half-finished plates of food all over the carpet, because DOUBLE ZOMG A CHANCE TO JAM WITH DAVE GRUSIN THIS GIG IS WAY BETTER THAN THE COCKTAIL HOUR AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION WE WORKED LAST WEEKEND) But I did have that legit five or ten minutes of true privacy, followed by two or three minutes of a most intimate private concert, followed by about a half an hour of a four-piece jazz combo plus vocalist. And for the latter, I was one of only like four people who didn't have to stand.

Andy Ihnatko

Luckily most of the parties I go to are peopled by My Kind of People, but when they're not (same: big family stuff), I toooootally shovel myself off to a quiet corner, where I often find my small group of awkward-at-the-party people. We'd definitely end up hanging out at a party full of strangers, Andy!

Danielle Corsetto

a) love Miranda's outfit b) am finding the event horizon for my appreciation of Nicole's selfishness c) Bugs Bunny legs!

Ruth Merriam

I had so much fun allowing myself that cartoonist's license!

Danielle Corsetto

personally, I would definitely opt for C, though you make a good point at what she may have stumbled into. Poor girl... I definitely get the feeling she's going to be severely traumatized before the night is out.

Faith Nelson

Though now that I look at the final panel again, I shouldn't make assumptions. She might have stumbled upon the room where things are happening that can't be unseen and which are impossible to look away from...

Andy Ihnatko

My family has a tradition of throwing huge wedding receptions. I have a tradition of finding a small room in the facility with an unlocked door that can be closed behind me. So I love the deck that closes this installment. And I'm wondering what I would have done if I'd found others of my ilk there in the Safe Room. (a) Recognize kindred souls and make friends? (b) Nod in recognition, and maintain this space's sanctuary against human contact? (c) Nod in recognition and then look for another space?

Andy Ihnatko

Totally would have snuck out, too. I think Miranda needs some work on enforcing her boundaries...

Hugh Eckert

Poor Miranda. Her so-called friend needs a talking to.

Hugh Eckert

Oof this gave me so much party anxiety! And her getting away with that elooooongatedd step - *chef's kiss*

The panels!! where she walks away!!!!

Boum

The duck on the second page is so good, I looked how her leg overlaps itself making the movement fluid and the panel break works fabulously. I love a good panel break

Meisterj

I would have snuck out also, but been really tempted by the horse....

Ab-so-lutely! My opinion of her 'friend' has dropped so much here. You drag a wallflower to a party you know she doesn't really want to go to and then drop her the second you step inside? What a jerk. :(

Joanna

I love the drunk font. I feel like I can hear the slurred speech.

Lisa

I would've tagged along to see the horse.

Dean Reilly

Poor Miranda. I hope she eventually finds the dang music. Me, I would have snuck out rather than stayed.

Laura J Testa-Reyes

I too need more hot pink friends.