2010-08-10

A four-panel SMBC comic. Panel 1: A young steampunk cosplayer in a red top hat, purple goggles, and Victorian-style outfit holds a yellow ray gun and says, "I pretend to live in a world with Victorian aesthetics and futuristic technology. It takes a lot of imagination, but-" An older man at the right scoffs, "PFF!" Panel 2: The older man interrupts: "ADULTS pretend to live in a world where the esteem of their office manager is existentially fulfilling." Panel 3: The cosplayer lowers his goggles, stunned, and says, "My god..." Panel 4: He turns to the older man and says admiringly, "You guys are the best roleplayers in history." Votey (aftercomic): Captioned "LATER...", the older man smiles thoughtfully and reflects, "I guess I really AM using that MFA in acting." The joke reframes mundane adult office life as an absurd, immersive form of role-playing.