Description

Panel One: DJ is on the floor, and reaches a hand up towards Cal, who is standing in front of him. "Help me up?" he asks.

Panel Two: Cal, from DJ's perspective, with a puzzled, questioning look. "Why? he asks.

Panel Three: DJ says, "Okay, first lesson: If someone falls down, you offer to help them up. If they extend their hand, you take it." Cal helps DJ up from the floor. "Oh. Okay," he says.

Panel Four: DJ dusts himself off while Cal explains, holding DJ's hat, "We'd always just get up by ourselves if we could." DJ has an incredulous look. "Really? Why?"

Panel Five: Long shot of DJ and Cal from behind, walking down the office hallway. "Germs," Cal answers. "Ah, I get it, now..." says DJ, before he continues, "Wait, so... You've never done a high five?" "A what?!" asks Cal. "*sigh* We've got some work to do."

Author Note

A surprisingly cold take from Cal, but at least he has valid reasons.

It's always interested me how what one culture views as polite, others can see as incredibly offensive. For Cal, it would be quite rude to help someone up right away, and to also ask for help if he really didn't need it. Doing either would put both parties at unnecessary risk for potential disease transmission. Washing your hands immediately after touching someone wouldn't be seen as insulting, either. For Carriers, it would be reversed. I can see cleaning something that another Carrier had touched or washing your hands after touching someone would be like a slap in the face. Immune to all diseases, and yet you STILL wash your hands?

Seriously, that would probably start a fight.

Guess whaaat? There's only THREE MORE PAGES LEFT of this issue! You can get a jump on them (and see the extras I include at the back when it's over) on my Patreon! Click Here - It's only $1!

Wash Your Hands,
- Bran