I waned to show that Reggie and Carol were sincere in their desire to mend fences, while also showing that they’re still who they are, and they aren’t quite there yet. He ribs her gently and she plays back. On some level Carol probably thinks all his mean spirited teasing was just him covering up for him having a little crush on her, in light of his relationship with Alex. It would be more correct to say that he doesn’t think in quite those terms before but now he’s beginning to compile his own ideas of what beauty is rather than defaulting to what he’s been told is beautiful. Which is not to say he didn’t think Nina is beautiful, but rather that it was easier for him not to think about it because she falls into a widely accepted version of beauty that he understood instinctively as good. Having experienced a very intimate encounter with a different kind his wiring is adapting to new information. The reality of things is she was abrasive and didn’t give him a chance and he responded in kind. While he was still able to evaluate her value to the store accurately later on she hasn’t quite accepted his in the same way. It was much easier with Ed because they have similar personalities and tend to face life with an idea of having to establish a pecking order early on. She pecked and Ed resisted. That put her on the back foot and made her reevaluate what kind of person she was dealing with and how she had acted. Having Nina as a moderating force probably helped too. Carol and Reggie have things in common, but not the same things as she and Ed. They both enjoy a sort of snickering meanness in their humor. Being a little cruel amuses them and makes them feel better about themselves. Ed can be sarcastic but it’s rarely from the same direction. Given time I think Carol and Reggie could actually become good friends who respect each other’s dependable qualities. While still being a bit mean about it.

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Nina is…..busy….polishing her flying broomstick

That’s an odd nickname for Ed, but he needs blood in his brain to be offended in the first place, so he likely wouldn’t complain.

I feel like generally a large part of Reggie’s meanness stemmed from a frustration on all fronts. The insecurity of not feeling like he lived up to his family’s expectations, his lack of success in his work and love life. I feel like the softening of his adversarial shots, into a more good willed teasing fits perfectly into his personality as the world around him starts to brighten up. His protagonist position in discovering the hidden room, new romance and growing connection to all of his coworkers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the quality of his work also started to improve as well. I wonder a little if some of his general incompetence was suppressed anxiety from frustration and his drive to prove himself. I’ve really grown to like Reggie and sympathize with him, it’s really warming to see him finally start to get traction in his life.

I’m reminded of how he was in the Brooksie Backstory arc. Friendly, cheerful, and all around helpful (if a little incompetent). He felt that he couldn’t trust his coworkers after that, and thought that everyone was either out for themselves, or looking down on him. He’s slowly getting back to how he used to be as people acknowledge his strengths

Having someone you care about in your life sure doesn’t hurt. I was gonna say that getting laid mellows a soul, but he’s got higher standards than the purely physical. It’s fun to see that in this work: the social mattering over the physical. Of course, the physical not being out of the equation either also adds to what rounds this all out.

“When the girls are rockin’, don’t come-a knockin'”, or words to that effect. :)

Nina will be in as soon as she learns how to walk again.

Wubwubwub indeed.

Nothing more to add but I was surprised to tangentially learn Reggie had Nina’s phone number, as they’re not outside-of-work buddies (unlike Thomas and Nina). Then I figured it’s a modern era thing in retail for just this kind of occasion; is that the norm?

I don’t know about other people, but even before cell phones I knew the numbers of coworkers who always wanted to pick up extra hours. You can get the okay a lot more easily if you already provide a warm body.

Of course. I forgot Reggie is the guy for this place.

Yeah, I vaguely remember Carol mentioning that she thinks Reggie has a thing for bigger woman in a previous page. Speaking of which, I noticed a comment on the previous page saying she looked slimmer (obviously not true). Didn’t she actually mention gaining weight way back when?

Also, “wub boin”.

Depends on the angle. Her thighs don’t look as thick, hips might not appear exactly as wide, and when her ears are more exposed it makes her cheeks look thinner by comparison. I wouldn’t say there’s anything wrong with the slight change. We already know she’s getting more exercise after work than previously.