Here it is Christmas Eve and Rivera wastes another day on meaningless drivel that does not move Mark’s story one iota farther along. So today we see a possible example of Mark’s narcissism, as played out in panel 4. Should we take his statement seriously? Perhaps Mark is just being melodramatic to evoke more sympathy from Cherry. Otherwise, Mark is developing an alarming sense of self-importance. Sarcasm might also explain the narration box containing that hackneyed phrase “Thoughts and Prayers”, normally reserved for people at death’s door or for their survivors.

Anyway, what is Mark talking about in panel 4? Nowhere does Bill Ellis assign the role of manatee bodyguard to him. Instead, Ellis simply pointed out some dangers related to the assignment. Even Bill Ellis knows that Mark is just a reporter (or “journalist” if you want to be charitable), not a Navy Seal or trained bodyguard.