(Strip Number 7186, Original Publication Date, 9 June 1985)
Panel 1: We find Mike in the tub playing Submarine Commander; right now, he's submerged.
Panel 2: He rises up gasping for breath.
Panel 3: As Michael replays the Battle of the Atlantic, Elly yells his name and asks if he's still in the bathtub.
Panel 4: Mike shoots out of the tub when Elly yells that it's way past his bedtime.
Panel 5: Now that he's in his pajamas, Elly calls him one big wrinkle.
Panel 6: Elly asks how he can stay in the bath for two hours.
Panel 7: Michael tells her that two hours is nothing.
Panel 8: After all, he once spent nine months in a tub.
Panel 9: As an angry Elly glares at him because she doesn't appreciate the reference to her belly. Michael smiles on his way to bed.
Summary: Why does Mike do this? Part of him is being a little turd who knows what gets Mom riled up. The larger part, though, is the part that's been listening to "If only I weren't gross and fat so long," he too thinks that Elly is too wide around because that's all he knows and hears.
