Because Mark Trail is a family comic strip appearing in at least 20 to 30 newspapers, conversations tend to be innocuous or boring. So I rewrote this one for adult readers (meaning this would never happen):

Cherry: “Mark, Duke found mold on the wall behind the water heater. Good thing you took that paying assignment!”
Mark: “Rats! Maybe I can weasel some more money out of that weasel, Cricket Bro. How much more for the repairs?”
Cherry: “Don’t worry, I got it covered, Mark. Oh, I picked up some gold jewelry in town today.”
Mark: “WHAT!? I took this job because I thought we were short on cash, Cherry! And since when did you start wearing jewelry? It’s not like the wildlife care. How much did it all cost?!”
Cherry: “Don’t worry, Sweetie. But Duke likes bling, and you always say it’s important to keep your contractor happy.”
Mark: “Oh, yeah? Well, I’m taking the first flight home. Then it’s Bam! Zoom! To the Moon!”
Cherry: “Uh, well … I’ll have my brother, Dirk, and his hogs, pick you up at the airport.”

– Well, I think I’m allowed a bit of fantasy, now and then!