Airdate: Monday, January 3, 2005
Sender: Hunter
We join Strong Bad doing what he does best: checking his e-mail.
Judging by what little we can see of the background however, it seems that Strong Bad, for reasons not yet revealed, has taken advantage of his new computer's semi-portable state to check his email in a place that is very much not his computer room. Regardless, Hunter wants to know if Strong Bad does anything besides check e-mails these days, to which Strong Bad indignantly replies:
On top of all that, Strong Bad also boasts that he has a "part part part part very part-time job"... one to which he is currently fifteen minutes late. Not helping matters is Homestar, who has barged into Strong Bad's hiding place (underneath Marzipan's kitchen table) with a tennis ball he claims is his latest invention, the "Super Question Machine". Fortunately, Homestar is easily distracted by The Cheat's alter ego "Tito the Tophaticent" and his tap-dancing act, allowing Strong Bad to make a break for his place of employment: Bubs' Concession Stand.
Bubs' is a harsh task-master, alas, and is waiting to scold Strong Bad and ridicule his ambitions for his "e-mail show".
Bubs: And I'm gonna be two times two. Now put on your uniform and get to work!
Strong Bad: ...You're gonna be what?
Strong Bad's job involves dressing up as a "tragic clown-dog" and busking for the concession stand, occasionally putting up with customers trying to get pictures with him ("Pictures with the Tragic Clown Dog ain't free! Fifty bucks! Sixty bucks! Get back here an' lemme confiscate yo film!"). After an encounter with Coach Z and Pom Pom, Strong Bad suddenly recalls the Lappy's pitiful battery life. After a failed attempt to negotiate getting "now" off, quits his job and rushes back to Marzipan's kitchen just in time to finish the e-mail... or not.
Homestar: Yeah, you do.
(Cut to Marzipan's microwave, on which Strong Bad attaches a hastily-scribbled picture of himself with an exaggerated beefy arm and the caption "Yeah buddy, I have muscles! P.S.: preeeeow". The Paper comes down when the viewer clicks the word "preeeeow".)
Tropes:
- And I'm the Queen of Sheba: This exchange:Strong Bad: I'm gonna be big one day. I'm gonna be a famous email checker!
Bubs: And I'm gonna be two times two. - Bad Job, Worse Uniform: Strong Bad's job involves dressing up as a Tragic Clown Dog and handing out promotional fliers.
- Call-Back: The Lappy was established in "animal" as having a battery life of only five minutes, which is presumably how long it takes for Strong Bad to run to Bubs, mess around at his job, and run back to try and close out the e-mail.
- Continuity Nod:
- Strong Bad boasts "I've got so many facets, you don't even know what facets are," similar to his description of Senor Cardgage in "kind of cool" as "So cool, you don't even know he's cool."
- An Easter egg shows a picture of the Videlectrix Guys from the preview for Peasant's Quest.
- Goofy Suit: Strong Bad has to busk for the concession stand while dressed as a "Tragic Clown Dog".
- It's the Best Whatever, Ever!: Homestar declares The Cheat's tap-dancing act "the most amazing undersea epic ever filmed".
- It Will Never Catch On: Bubs mocks Strong Bad for "Wastin' time with that email show of yours again. That mess'll never get you anywhere!"
- Long List: Strong Bad's list of hobbies and interests:Strong Bad: I do everything! Always! Nature walks, Meet N' Greets, Bus Chucker Club, The League of Me and The Cheat Ice Cream Socials. Shut up! I even have a part-part-part-part-very part-time job, (beat) to which I am currently 15 minutes late.
- Parrot Expo What: In response to Bubs saying he will be "two times two", Strong Bad exclaims, "You're gonna be WHAT?"
- Stylistic Suck: An Easter egg shows Strong Bad and Bubs in a campy, semi-autobiographical play called "Dreamaway Johnny".
- With Catlike Tread:
- Homestar clearly responds to Strong Bad's not-so-subtle stage-whispering from beneath Marzipan's kitchen table.
- When he arrives at his job, Strong Bad assumes that "Bubs must be passed out on the floor again" and audibly sings about arriving at work on time.
Bubs: (as Mr. Legarm) Well look who decided to show up. Fifth time this week, Johnny!
Strong Bad: (as Johnny) Oh I'm sorry Mr. Legarm. Honest I am! I just...
Bubs: You just what? Lost track of time?
Strong Bad: Yes sir. Only I wouldn't have to worry about that if I could just get the Johnny-Tron working.
Bubs: You still wastin' time workin' on that time machine, Johnny? That's a pipe dream, son! Your future's here at the shop. Now sweep up! I got customers to tend to.
Strong Bad: You'll see. Someday... someday... (spotlight appears over Strong Bad as he sings) When all my dreams come...truuuuuuuuue!
