DISH-PATCH (039): Settling into the Stacks...

And so it was that former Suit KATIE and her husband GEAR GUY ended up hosting the GANG from JEDEMI for an open-ended period of time (well, actually… until the remodel of their home base over the hill is complete).

They seem to be pleased with the accommodations with the TUF SHED of Gear Guy’s being a fairly comfy hangout spot.

The MAD INVENTOR / INNOVATOR TOMMIE has taken up the challenge of getting that little 3 x 3 MAGIC BOX working that allegedly project images (small but mighty?). Doing so opens up a world of options or so was the thinking of FRANKIE, FRANNIE and DOC.

As seen on YT…

But Doc also is intrigued by this MANGA thing that has stolen JOEY from him — from them. So after watching Tommie and Frankie fiddle around a bit working on getting the MAGIC BOX working, Doc makes his way to another corner of the SHED where up in the “STACKS” – on top of one of the shelving units, JOEY can again be found settled into MANGA reading.

Let’s listen in to find out WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT… —The Gang

DOC
Uh… I thought we got you away from…

Joey, as usual, is locked in and doesn’t initially notice Doc’s presence. And Doc maneuvers himself to a point where he can look over Joey’s shoulder to see what’s got his attention.

DOC INTERNAL
FRENCH…? Really?

Lay-Flat Manga in French…?!?

Pauses to observe some more.

DOC INTERNAL
Well… It IS reading RIGHT-to-LEFT showing characteristics of classic JAPANESE MANGA and… There ARE dialogue AND thought bubbles AND… enough STORYBOARD-like drawing to literally DRAW you in… compel you… that I can…

Joey turns the page and is studying it.

DOC INTERNAL
Huh? Looks like some sort of training sequence… one where… LEAF SNATCHING? Really?

DOC
Really?!?

That last part, said out loud WAS heard by Joey. Who then flipped back to show where the segment started and how the story flowed to where he’s at now as he explains to his pal.

JOEY
Remarkable… These … so packed… so compelling as in you want to follow along but also, like a good poem, you want to study too as everything is there for a reason…

DOC
Ah… I think I understand… Cool if we take a break? Looks like… hand full of leaves and now… your lead guy is taking HIS break, yes?

Hands full of leaves…

JOEY
Sure… Stretch time and… Apologies for… It’s … I’m … not trying to…

…I get it. To outsiders … yeah, it could be construed as rude or even… obsessive… but those who know… KNOW.

DOC
I get it. To outsiders … yeah, it could be construed as rude or even… obsessive… but those who know… KNOW. As for the ladies… Storytellers that they are, they’re CURIOUS how it is that this form factor…

JOEY
…Makes for compelling storytelling? You’re right… Those who know… KNOW — I’m noticing some patterns and the like… tho not ready to unveil my thoughts as I’m still sorting through… But I’ve got a theory…

He pauses and gives Doc a look.

JOEY
This I will say with all certainty… THIS STYLE of storytelling is really REALLY good.

DOC
Looking forward to you EDUCATING me… US when the time is right, my friend.

Points to the LAY FLAT manga Joey is reading.

DOC
Let’s shift gears slightly as I AM curious… How is it that a FRENCH TRANSLATION of a JAPANESE MANGA in LAY-FLAT format ended up here with you? Was THAT at JEDEMI?

Joey points towards the house.

JOEY
Katie’s Kollection... LOL… In my eyes it was Collection with a “K”.

DOC
Katie’s? So, like… what…? When I was pre-occupied with our friends in the corner, you made an excursion to the BIG HOUSE?

JOEY
Felt … A window of opportunity opened and I flew through it…

DOC
Uh… okay … and this magically appeared in a room you were exploring… like SPYRO…

In Doc’s mind’s eye, he sees JOEY exploring like he’s SPYRO (in a video game).

Channeling Spyro…

JOEY
So, you think I was channeling MY inner SPYRO?

He ponders for a second and then fist bumps Doc.

JOEY
Yeah… Maybe… Like the visual…

DOC
Okay, so circling back to the where… Where did you snatched it from …?

Katie’s indoor exercise zone…

JOEY
Near the exercise bike… She’s got LAY FLATs and an iPAD MINI and a… KINDLE… Really cool old school KEYBOARD KINDLE… So many reading options, I figured she wouldn’t notice if I quote-unquote BORROWED…

DOC
Well rationalized. Still… Let’s be mindful of the time and not disrupt her READING FLO, eh?

JOEY
Gotcha, pal. Get ‘em back before she gets back from her shift.

Doc nods and then…

DOC
Did you say ‘em as in…

Then Joey reaches into the shadows and produces the iPAD MINI.

DOC
You grabbed that too…?

Manga-On-Mini…

JOEY
Well… yeah… It was calling to me… Couldn’t ignore the call of…

Doc shakes his head with a smile.

DOC
An iPAD gone WILD. I imagine you’ve already given it a peek or several peeks…

JOEY
Had to… Glad to, because… Check THIS out!
Joey turns it on and shows Doc the screen.

Mini Manga…

DOC
Is that… MINI MANGA??

JOEY
Check it out… ! I Just so happened to TAP OPEN this!

Doc studies the title while Joey explains.

JOEY
So… this particular manga happens to be a story about a reckless loose cannon who thinks he’s in some sort of hard-boiled cop film or novel. His behavior gets him banned… ur… transferred to a remote island near Okinawa where he is challenged to solve a mass disappearance case involving a sea-worshiping cult…