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Even laziness and lack of desire can be overcome if there is enough benefit.
There is a lot of debate among daily cartoonists about the silent 3rd panel, and I personally try to only use them when the “pause/thought” really needs to be emphasized. I think this was a good use.
You could almost hear the gears grinding as Vachel thought of a way to make a profit on the endeavor.
I think the pause (ahahaha, my fingers wanted to spell that “paws” ;D) is very effective.. but perhaps that is because you use it judiciously, Christopher!
Besides, who could even think about disappointing Dee? I ask you! (Well, besides Vachel, anyway ;))
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Vatchel doesn’t fear Dee enough
@chris: Part of the reason why I think you use the third panel so well is that you make use of what you call the “throwaway gag”. This indirectly makes the long pause verisimilar.