Issue 003 — The Numbers | Shepherds & Sheeple

Midterms. The whole farm is watching. Up at the podium, two packs of wolves argue over the same four numbers — and both insist they're the ones who get to read them to the crowd. Down in the field, the herd has been living with those numbers on a receipt all along. Here's how a strip works when the argument is the price of things.

Panel 1 · Scene set

The week of the vote. Every number is suddenly a weapon. Nobody asks what a number actually means — only who gets to read it first.

A pack of wolves flanking a red-haired president wolf at a red podium, all declaring the economy has never been stronger — Panel Above — the wolves“The economy has never been stronger. Best in history. Look at the numbers.”

Two Democrat wolves with blue ties laughing at the other pack, pointing out who is living in his own imaginary world — Panel Above — the wolves“Look who is living in his own imaginary world. You can't read those numbers out loud and mean it.”

Panel 4 · The herd looks down

Both packs are pointing at the same chart. The herd has the chart too — but as a grocery receipt, an electric bill, and a mortgage letter.

A herd of sheep holding a big sign that reads: your economy is only doing well because prices are so high, not because we are doing well — Panel Below — the sheeple“Your economy is only doing well because prices are so high — not because we are doing well.”

The same herd holding a second sign: you promised to lower prices and put more money in our pocket; that is so far from the truth, so we're giving the other guys a try — Panel Below — the sheeple“You promised to lower prices and put more money in our pocket. That is so far from the truth. So we're giving the other guys a try.”

Panel 7 · The real problem

Both wolves own the numbers. Neither owns the receipt. A number only means something when you can hold it in your hand — at a checkout counter, a gas pump, a kitchen table with the mortgage letter spread out. If the wolves can't agree on the number, the herd isn't supposed to.

Panel 8 · The only question

When did the last chart you trusted come from a podium instead of your own pocket?

Issue 004, when it's ready.

Same farm. New numbers. Same machine.

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