Mark—or rather, this story—is skating on thin ice. Or, perhaps my reaction is. Mark’s smugness in panel 3 is obvious, but maybe not justified. I’m not convinced that Senator Smalls recognizes Mark, in spite of Mark’s retort in panel 3.

Mark could have replied that he is, in fact, a journalist. But he didn’t! Why wouldn’t he reveal his bona fides as a wildlife and environmental journalist to justify his questions?

It’s possible that Smalls thinks Mark is just another troublemaking tourist. The fact that Mark is dressed in blue jeans and a red checkered shirt might have something to do with him standing out from the crowd, even if it is a crowd of journalists.

Will the Capitol Police show up at this point and try to haul Mark away? Will he try to fight them off?