(Strip Number 6081, Original Publication Date, 18 April 1982)
Panel 1: We start off with Elly trying to get an element on her stove working.
Panel 2: Next, she adjusts a knob to no real effect.
Panel 3: She then explains that one of the burners is kaput and the stove's thermostat is broken again.
Panel 4: Next, she sets up the conflict by telling John that she needs a new stove.
Panel 5: He tells her that fixing the one they have will have to do for now.
Panel 6: This displeases her because she knows that he just spent thousands on new equipment for his office.
Panel 7: He tells he that that's different.
Panel 8: The reason is that he works there.
Summary: It would have been a lot simpler if he'd said something like "I need the new equipment to help pay down the mortgage, utility bills, insurance, groceries and clothing; there just isn't enough for the stuff you'd like." That, however, would require him not to be a selfish ogre who'd rather buy toys than useful things like stoves and garbage disposals. Besides, the new stove she wants is probably her Christmas present.
To sum up my summary, Rod is taking another one in the shorts because he'd rather not have spent a lot of money buying better means of creating Cheapie Weenie Casserole.
