I don’t find humor or satisfaction in body shaming, but it sure looks like Cherry could do with a little more physical activity in her day. Maybe some jogging with her sister, Olive? In any event, today’s minor episode is just a drawn-out affair to make the point we did two days ago about Mark’s cave experience in New Mexico.

In fact, Mark was in another adventure involving a cave pursuit, also published during James Allen’s tenure. It was a story of epic length and plotlines, starting with a phony “female hostage situation” in the Rapid City, South Dakota airport (“Ferret, Black-footed Ferret”); Mark being taken prisoner by a bank robber and led on a dangerous escape through the country; a law pursuit through a cave with a grizzly bear who likes candy bars; a deadly storm; fist fights; guns; and more!

So the question I pose is: Will Mark get a call from Bill Ellis this week? Mark has had two non-paying adventures in a row. If Mark wants to be able to pay for another expensive home repair, he better turn up a couple of good-paying gigs soon! Frankly, I don’t know why Mark doesn’t actively pursue assignments like any good independent reporter would, rather than hang around waiting for the phone to ring. That’s no way to build up a national reputation!