Elliot Blows It

Aaron Schulz

I hope it turns out that elliot is one of mrs augustus' booty calls.

Good ...... this was way to forced

Wond'ring Lisa

Eh, wasn't really feeling the Eliot-Clinton vibe anyway.

Sarah

Eh, at least COVID means a temporary break from these kinds of situations lol!!!

Chris Crowther

Having a date when you're working is a pretty big fumble to start with.

Victoria A Wilder

So they fumbled. I really don't get why people are throwing the whole ship out with the bathwater. It's one awkward date. QC has had so many. It doesn't equal DOOMED ROMANCE. They'll talk. It'll be okay.

Some Ed

I've seen hanging out while working turning out very well for some people. But they did it very differently, including without any alcohol. Also, the job site this occurred at was a bookstore, and the SOs were regular customers who were more than happy to read while their SO was busy working.

Some Ed

Exposure tends to lead itself to complacency. Alcohol leads to bad decisions.

LaPrimaNerda (Sarah Davis)

Also, I’m waiting for Clinton’s mom to be like, “you did what now? Go fix it.” or just reading Elliott very well and mitigating more damage.

ljdbjlasfbjk

Buy $EIGHTSTRING, it's about to go through the roof with all the guitar demand!

Dave Van Domelen

(Unrelated: looks like the Marten twitter account got hacked, it's posting stock tips now.)

Sleepy John

Poor Elliott. "It's not the earth the meek inherit, it's the dirt." And Clinton, I hope you have a hangover so big that Cosmo's license jingling sounds like a fire alarm.

awgiedawgie

To be fair, Elliot KNOWS that when someone is being drunk and stupid, they're not going to remember anything you say to them anyway, so trying to talk to Clinton right now would be a waste of breath.

KCkittysnores

Inorite?! Can’t you just picture Cosmo and Hercules snuggling while Elliott makes soda bread and Ms. A jams on her bass?

Morgyn

I'm hoping it's Yay

Justin Alexander

This is, honestly, the best thing that could happen here. Separate before things get irreparable. If Clinton's lucky, he'll run into somebody who can explain why he's been a total ass-hat and he'll be able to course correct.

Jp

This is one of the awkward things that I identify with that makes me love this comic so much.

Aaron Schulz

Well he was introduced being a super weirdo at Hanners so he has come a long way. Hes gonna fall back into jerky weirdness now and then it seems.

Sarah Manx

It kind of reminds me of where Marigold started out socially. Slightly better maybe, but similar.

Sarah Manx

I am ALL for open and honest communication, but asking a second crush if they're into you while kind of on a date with someone else is just kind of tactless. If I were Elliot, I'd probably feel bummed, too.

jimbo

sorry to see that crushed look in Elliot's eyes but really guys, hanging out while working is not very practical or conducive to getting to know each other. Give it time!

MercuryBuddha

Or, more to the point, fails to blow it..... XD

Cass

This whole arc makes me so sad. Clinton opened with a story about him being an immature jerk online, and its all gone downhill from there.

Evgeniy Semyonov

Several months from now we all would be like "Yeah, Elliot and Ms. Augustus seems so logical now, no one could have fallen for each other more naturally!".

n.

honestly I think the issue is how clinton brought it up to him, not that it happened at all

My Yalliot predictions are getting more and more likely.

Morgan Bauman

I’m autistic, and I have to be honest here... I would appreciate it if Clinton sneakily checked to see if my crush liked me back? Like. He didn’t even imply who might be crushing on Brun. Like. I can see ‘asking crush if they like me while on a quasi-date’ as rude, but trying to potentially wingman for someone or spare them a direct rejection... That doesn’t seem like a BAD thing to me. I mean, I would’ve done this as a high school or college student. I wouldn’t do it now, probably. But... I dunno. I don’t feel like Clinton has any idea why this would be a bad thing, and if Elliot also likes even-less-socially-savvy Brun... He’s gonna have a rough go of it if well intentioned social gaffes lead to complete shutdowns? He might need somebody better at reading people. Which...would be a bit unfortunate, since he’s cute with Clinton, but I think I was counting on the polycule to balance things out... I have no idea if this made sense. Might delete it when I wake up. I just feel bad for Clinton here. He tried to be helpful.

Devin Forbes

Yeah I don't remember him knowing that.

Billie Thompson

Nooooo

Daniel S

Maybe I'm just in denial. I think this can still be saved, but when one person is shy and hesitant to just level with the other person, and the other person is being drunk and stupid...it's not gonna work out. Back off and regroup.

It never ceases to amaze me how true to life the QC universe is. Even the more far-fetched plots with robots, omniscient AIs, and so on always seem to brightly illuminate the human condition. I suspect this is because Jeph is a master storyteller.

Nicolas Demers

Sigh

Shane Wegner

I wondered what would happen if a Clinton just wasn’t that into men. This I guess.

Shane Wegner

Instead of anyone being too good for anyone else, maybe it just didn’t work out with attraction.

Chris Driggers

Clinton, stop acting like your sister!

That Blair Guy

Plot twists coming:. Clinton can't stay at his Mom's because she has a friend over. Meanwhile, Yay is visiting Hercules when Elliot gets home, depressed about the evening's evens. In the course of things, Elliot mentions that Clinton's mom has a dog. Turns out Cosmo is Yay's missing dog and in the end it's Yay, Elliot, and Mrs Augustus!

Tim

Clinton has always been a bit of an ass. I love that his character is slowly developing away from a total ass, but it's going to be a looooooong process. I just had a frightening thought. What if Yay finds out, gets mad, and takes control of Clinton's hand? Hilarity ensues?

Tim

I think there is still time to repair the damage, it's early in the relationship. First Clinton needs to understand that he fucked up.

Bagge

Go Clinton, go!

Potato Moses

When did Clinton find out that Elliot had a crush on Brun?

I read it like Elliot is shrugging as Clinton hops his short ass off the bar stool.

Just Jupiter (Chelsea)

Maybe... Maybe this is like a rom com... And they'll still manage to end up together? Maybe? :(

Brendan Jones

Looks like interfering with other people's love lives with the best of intentions is an Augustus family trait!

Shawn K. Younkin

LOL- last time went right for him when was in a bar THAT BURNED DOWN?

Good. Elliot's too good for Clinton, and now he knows it.

fluffy

At least Clinton's a happy drunk?

KCkittysnores

I mean, you’re not wrong.

KCkittysnores

They’ve been siblings for twenty one years at least. This is far from his jackassiest move.

FeyOne

Now I'm just sad. :(

That does not make me feel better! Sorry, Jeph. 😞

Cley Faye

I'm starting to think he didn't take it that well.

LuckyMag7

I get that Clinton is fucking it up. But he's got poor social life skills at all and tried having a couple drinks to loosen up after the last time he got semi-pressured to have a drink and things worked out. It's not the right choice but it worked for him last time and now he's gonna get a talking to. He just doesn't know what he's doing and he doesn't seem to drink ever so he's completely out of his depth.

awgiedawgie

Elliot blows it? No. Clinton blew it already. Elliot's just giving him a graceful exit. Hopefully Clinton sobers up and realizes what an ass he was being.

Miyaa

Guys, these strips were made weeks ago. It’s not like Jeph is a time Lord.

Bruce Steinberg

Shall we christen the good ship Yalliotles?

Kenneth Carlile

I think Jeph has grown tired of fulfilling all of our wishes. Um... I HATE MELON STRIPS (looks around furtively and hopefully)

Michele Williams

Drunk Clinton has the decision-making capability and emotional awareness of a sea sponge. Elliot has far too much experience dealing with people in that state, and also the backbone of said sponge when it comes to emotional stuff. Confrontation right now would be very bad. It can wait til Clinton's sober.

KHawk

Yeah I’m very much in Elliot’s corner here. Telling a very drunk person that they hurt your feelings is only going to end with the drunk causing a scene - ie, the exact thing you can’t really do while at work.

KHawk

Everyone assumes Claire will be the one to murder Clinton, but I think their mom will the be the one to give him the, “Clinton, you are an idiot” tough-love speech.

Samantha Yeaman

I want to believe!

Dammit, Clinton.

Ian Wolfe

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!!

I feel for Elliot here, you can't tell a drunk person they hurt you emotionally while they're drunk or while you're at work, that won't end well. I think it's resolvable...I hope. We'd better not get turkeys or cereal for the next week, damn it. I need a resolution here.

Fuzzy Logik

While he is working and clinton is drunk right before what likely will be a real rush is probably not the time. This whole hangout/date was a bad idea for these reasons.

EnterTheHero

EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG

Alex Borders

And it's not even Tuesday!

Alex Borders

Wow. There's a lot of deep stuff here. However, my reaction to this strip? D### it! Now I want tacos. I apparently have the emotional depth of a rock. Sorry, guys.

Bacon Lord

This ship must earn it's passage.

Daniel Burnett

Why

Samantha Yeaman

My ship has not only sunk, it has exploded into a million pieces of shrapnel and then been reduced to a fine spray of dust, ash and tears.

Katrina Urmson

Awwww, Elliot... I would... yeah. Be a lot like this, actually. :’(

Mr. Ifrit

The 19th Angel is Claire when she finds out Clinton broke her yaoi fantasy.

Natalie Scott

I so wanted this to go well.

Thomas Halpin

No! You gotta tell the truth you idiot! Craaap.

Dean Reilly

Hello coast guard, I'd like to report a ship in distress.

Crystal Rivet

Oh, Clinton. I have a feeling that bow is in for many regrets in the morning. Both physical, and mental

Shawn K. Younkin

LOL- whut?

Jackie Horn

Clinton's mom should definitely not make him pancakes.

JD

don’t be silly, we obviously know the answer is yes

Rosilin

This has caused me physical pain. Clinton, STAHP. Elliott, noooooo. 🤦‍♀️

Elliot yes! Don't let assholes walk all over you!

Sero

Now the big question is will Claire find out and kill her brother.

Melody Lu

Also <3 <3 to Elliot. Maybe he should just hang with Hercules, who seems to be solidly not prone to human follies

Rob McBobson

See, this kind of thing? This kind of thing is why I'm happy to leave the concept of "getting drunk" to other people.

Shawn K. Younkin

Did people just forget - JEPH IS MEAN TO ELLIOT!! At least Clinton asked if there was something wrong. If someone is clueless that they hurt you and they can see that they did something wrong and ask what they did - just tell them.

Melody Lu

That last panel looks like it was meant to be a slightly closer camera framing, but because of the blackboard in the background between the last two panels is the same height, it just looks like everyone got shorter. Maybe worth a quick edit?

JD

I struggled a little with this too. My understanding is: Clinton made Elliot feel like he was a second choice after Brun, and took away his ability to speak to Brun himself. Basically he put Elliot on the spot very suddenly/insensitively with personal issues. Today I guess the issue is that Elliot isn’t being honest with Clinton and is letting Clinton think everything is fine. Oh, also Clinton is oblivious that Elliot is very anxiously waiting on an answer from him.

schmod

Oh. Yeah. Claire is literally going to murder him.

Eric Sieck

Honestly, this is probably for the best. They can talk when Clinton’s sober and clear things up.

Morgan McCauley

oh nooooooooooooo o o o o *bangs head against a wall because look at these two idiots but mostly Clinton*

JD

in the next issue Elliot will get to Clinton’s and they’ll have a big DnM where they resolve everything *nods*

Michael Boettger

Clinton seems oblivious to whats going on. I blame the alcohol. But poor Elliot, he looks crushed.

Corpus Callosum

Like man he questioned his sexuality, give the ginger a mulligan on this one

Grace Kieser

Wow, they both blew it! That's a bold play, Cotton!

orangejuicenut

I have social intelligence issues, why is the stuff Clinton did yesterday bad and why is the stuff Elliot did today bad?

Joel Bateman

Clinton you dumbass!

doorbender

“Everything’s definitely coming up Milhouse” 😬😬😬

Lex

Saw this coming, honestly. Jeph likes to toy with us. ;P Lol

Because Clinton is a moron.

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. The ship's in rough waters, cap'n!

Poor lightweight Clinton

Jono Hayward

WHY.

Jono Hayward

CLINTON.

Raven Razor

Damn, Clinton...

Jono Hayward

ELLIOT.

Tamara Macadam

aw baby :(

Cody Renton

what is happening why is it all going wrong