Comic #3749: making-it-up

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Description

Here's the accurate transcription of the text from the comic:

Panel 1
Text: "There's an old joke in business."
Two figures stand on a pier during twilight.

Panel 2
Text: "Guy says 'we're losing ten cents on every sale.' His partner replies, 'It's okay! We'll make it up on volume.'"
A figure laughs lightly.

Panel 3
Text: "Every day, I feel like I'm losing. But, it's also really important to me that I live to old age."
The first figure looks thoughtful.

Panel 4
Text: "Like I'm trying to make up for my life on volume."
The second figure looks serious.

Panel 5
Text: "There's an old joke about pirates. Pirate has a wheel on his crotch. Sailor asks why. Pirate replies, 'Arr, it be drivin' me nuts.'"
The first figure appears to be reflecting.

Panel 6
Text: "Some days, I feel like I'm the wheel, and the pirate's balls are… I dunno… society?"
The second figure winds up to a realization.

Panel 7
Text: "Or maybe the pirate's balls are the feeling of isolation in an ever more connected world."
The second figure looks contemplative.

Panel 8
Text: "Honestly, I thought an insightful metaphor would present itself by the time I finished the joke."
The first figure gestures expressively.

Panel 9
Text: "I'm trying to open up to you about my depression."
The second figure looks earnest.

Panel 10
Text: "The balls are depression! Driven by the wheels of circumstance!"
The first figure emphasizes passionately.

The illustration features two characters with a mix of contemplative and expressive facial expressions, set against the backdrop of a pier and water at dusk.