Comic #2309: 2011-09-09
Description
Here's a detailed transcription of the comic text:
Title: In the 21st Century, Psychological Engineering Became Popular.
Panel 1: The setting shows a speaker at a podium with a confident expression, a smiling audience, and a round graphic displaying a happy face with the words: "A happy citizen is a productive citizen. So, sadness is banned!"
Panel 2: Two characters, one in a police uniform and the other with red hair, have a conversation.
- Red-haired Character: "Some people opposed it, but they turned out to be criminals."
- Police Officer: "The anti-sadness law makes me sad."
- Red-haired Character: "I’d be happy to arrest you."
Panel 3: Another scene with a woman speaking through a door.
- Woman: "I’d like to finish in tears…"
- Woman in Door: "'Unhappy endings' are 200 extra."
Panel 4: Two characters are having a discussion with a TV screen showing a familial connection.
- Green Character: "Where’d you learn to be sad, Betsy?"
- Betsy: "I learned it from you, Dad!"
Panel 5: Police officer speaking to a citizen.
- Police Officer: "It’s just a little anxiety, officer. But if I catch you experiencing vexation in this neighborhood, your ass is mine."
Panel 6: Government officials discuss the overcrowded jails.
- Official 1: "Ever since we jailed all sad people, government jobs are 99% vacant. Something has to change."
Panel 7: A new program is announced.
- Official 2: "A new program was created. Vouchers will be issued for all in need. Those working in high impact fields such as telemarketing and DMV clerking will be allowed an almost infinite supply of malaise credits."
- Character: "Hooray!"
Panel 8: Two characters excitedly discuss the program.
- Dude: "Dude! I got 100 vouchers. Let's get completely sadfaced!"
- Other Character: "Oh yeah, that’s the stuff!"
- Dude: "Most of the things you’ve ever done have already been forgotten."
Panel 9: Scene reverting to normalcy with characters having a conversation.
- Character 1: "I think we should break up."
- Character 2: "But Sandy, I… I need to check my account before I react to this."
This transcription captures the dialogue and scene descriptions from the comic accurately.