(Strip Number 1219, Original Publication Date, 4 November 1987)
Panel 1: Mike can't accept not being able to wash off the food dye because he's gotta go to school tomorrow.
Panel 2: He tells an underwhelmed Elly that he can't go with a green face because he'll die.
Panel 3: He then gets all maudlin when he asks what he's supposed to do to avoid looking ridiculous and getting teased like a boring, ordinary person who deserves it because she's cuter than he is.
Panel 4: When Elly tells him to find a shirt to match, he ain't happy.
Summary: He's his father's son, that's for sure. John doesn't like being the subject of ridicule either because he too thinks that he's the only person whose feelings matter.