With the primaries a foregone conclusion, Ms. Baculum thinks it's finally safe to talk about responsible voting without appearing to sway parents' votes. When Iimi gives her views on the cause of polarization, it earns her some derision. After all, the stakes are too high to follow the rules when opposing evil. Besides… What's the Worst that Can Happen?
Shakira's
arguments are ones I have heard consistently since the 2000 elections. They've
only grown in intensity since 2016.
Bahrudin has returned to Babylon. He and Sumeja are prepared to file for divorce. Kismetta is desperate to stop it. Paula, remembering the secretive ways of her late mother, has a plan to block it. Kismetta is on board, but why is Iimi so morally troubled? Will her stand mean she winds up… Hemmed in from all Sides
Post-Comic
Notes:
Some
readers might be surprised that Iimi not acting was the right thing to do. There
are two things to remember. First, Iimi's conscience bothered her, and she
wanted to be sure it was right before she acted. Second, she recognized that
with Sumeja's issues, she'd have zero chance of changing the minds of the
Dhumzur parents. So, she asked first, and Thea explained why it was not a good
idea.
The comic concept arose from the thought that the Iscra family might come across as utopian, where everyone was perfect, and no fights arose. Of course, I didn't want it to appear like the needless drama in so many shows and movies.
There's also a bit of the personal in it. Several times, people have asked me to defend a position that I felt was indefensible… either by going against Church teaching or having no chance of success and a high chance of it causing hostility against the Church. Unfortunately, this sometimes means the refusal is seen as the cause of it happening.
For the most part, Paula has felt safe and loved in her adoptive home. However, she does have some baggage left over from her time with her mother (see Issues 44-52), and she has been headstrong when she decides something is the only possible approach (see Issues 114-115).
Meanwhile, Kismetta notices that her mother has become more deceptive. She doesn't want her parents to divorce. So, in desperation, she grabs onto Paula's idea.
Art Credits:
The Book
Cover Frame is from Figudesign © – 2021 and used under license. The image is
based on a cover I created in Issue 129. I ran it through NightCafe AI.
This was the best of the attempts.
Sumeja and her children have returned to the United States and attempt to resettle and prepare for her divorce. Kismetta, having thought her life was more or less stable, now has to deal with all the issues being rebooted. As for Iimi, she feels like she is being caught up in the crossfire on… Reboot Hill!
Post Credit Notes:
Ramadan
had just begun (if I understand rightly, it began at sundown on March 10) when this comic came out. The way it works (again, as I understand it) is that from sunup to
sundown, Muslims must avoid food and drink and smoking. There are some
exceptions. Travelers can choose not to fast if it is a hardship. The pregnant
and the sick should not fast if it would harm their health or the unborn child.
Menstruating women cannot fast.
These people (and those who chose not to fast) must make up the days missed before the next Ramadan or provide charitable works.
Muslims have the suhur meal before dawn and the iftar meal after sunset.
Because I am a Christian writing about Muslim practices, I've tried to avoid portraying things that I could not verify as being done by at least some groups. If I have made any mistakes about it, I ask that any Muslim readers (if there are any) please be patient with me.
Because I do write a couple of weeks in advance, I missed the opportunity to throw Daylight Savings Time (also began March 10, if you’re reading this from the archives).
Art Credits:
The Black
mottled background used in the flashback panels: Publisher's Choice Quality
Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games