“And now, children, let’s watch and listen to this politician as he talks about an impor—wait. What’s going on here!?!” What in tarnation happened to Rusty? For that matter, what the heck happened to Mark’s head in panel 2? It looks like his jaw is physically falling from his head, saved only by his skin!

I don’t know that much about political campaigning, but why would Ohio State Senator Smalls campaign for a seat in the United States Senate while in Washington, D.C.? Does that happen? There can’t be that many visitors from Ohio in D.C. at any given time, can there?

Getting back to poor Rusty (panel 2), I’m concerned by what appears to be a visceral change in his very appearance, to say nothing of his demeanor. And his classmates seem to be falling under the same mysterious miasma. Somebody get those kids some tranquilizers! Frankly, I don’t get it. What 12-year kid is going to get excited by a speech from a middle age dude in a bad suit blathering on about business and NOAA? The guy is not even from their state.

It seems as if Mark just can’t go anywhere without running into one or more of his foes. The story of the Ohio train crash and the senator’s corruption was highlighted in the “Something Fishy” adventure of 2023. At the end of the story, the senator was arrested by local police. In any event, any corruption or bribery charges against the senator were obviously buried, as he is still in office a year later.

But Mark is wrong and the woman is correct:  This is a teaching and learning opportunity, so let them hear Senator Smalls! Afterwards, the two adults can review the senator’s speech with the students, pointing out any lies, distortions, or other foibles worth bringing up. Mark can also talk about his role in exposing the senator. Thus, the kids will get a much more thorough understanding, as opposed to simply being told “Don’t listen!” and walking on.

There is also a danger that Mark could once again start heckling the senator, leading to Small’s renewed demands for Mark’s arrest. Would Mark abandon Rusty and the rest of the students as he flees the police? On the other hand, will the senator spot Mark first and decide to just duck and run?