(Original Publication Date, 25 January 1991)
Panel 1: We find John basking in the illusory glow of a fortress against being told what to do when he monologues about how Work is his refuge, his shelter from the storm and the one place that is his. Given that he leads a life of stupefying blandness that will result in an urn with a thought-bubble over it that says "I just realized that I might be dead! CHEE!!! When did THAT happen?", one wonders what storm he could possibly be talking about.
Panel 2: One's question is answered when he puffs up his chest and states that here, he is the boss. Here, he reigns supreme. Here is his sanctuary. Here is where a pathetic control freak indulges in his crypto-fascist fantasy of unquestioned obedience.
Panel 3: Suddenly, a wild Workwife appears to chide him.
Panel 4: This is so Jean can berate him for not rinsing out his coffee cups.
Summary: This is another reason John retreats from society: he can't cope with the fact that he can't expect unquestioned anything because Jean sees herself as being Elly's pre-programmed clone and also, he's no big deal, he's just a wide boy.