But pairing Archie with Chuck Clayton? That was genius. Since Chuck's introduction to the Archie universe in the early 1970s, both the "Life With Archie" and "Archie at Riverdale High" series have paired both of these characters up to solve mysteries and help others in need. The two have a strong friendship and they work off each other well.
In fact, today's two-part story (I want to do at least one of these a month) features Archie and Chuck meeting a brand new friend with a rather uncomfortable and shameful secret. What that secret is? Well, you'll find out soon enough.
First of all, the story originally appeared in "Life With Archie #265" - and it's a story that is kind of hidden towards the back of the book right after a tale in which Archie and Veronica experience a Tarzan like story. It's a shame, because I really like today's featured tale a lot more, and think that it should have been the main feature...not the one on the cover.
This is a story called "On The Mark" - and as I mentioned, it is a two part story. I'll post the second half tomorrow.
The action begins at the tail end of a high school football game between Riverdale High and Central High. And it appears as though Riverdale is kicking some Central behind based on the opening panel. Surprisingly though, the star of the team is not Moose or Reggie. It's a guy named Mark, who is new to Riverdale High. Archie comments on the fact that Mark has a great arm, and after the game is over, Chuck comments on how great a player Mark really is. Mark loves playing football and he is hopeful that a football scout will take notice of him. Chuck mentions that representatives from a variety of state colleges sometimes check out games to scout new talent (which would be a lot better than buying your way into school, Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin). Mark doesn't seem to be interested in school though. He wants to go right into pro football. A lofty goal, but still - college would open more doors. Nothing much else to add to this conversation except for two pieces of information. One, Mark's father has a job that has caused the family to relocate many times during Mark's childhood, which I assume would make maintaining friendships and keeping up with studies difficult. And secondly, Archie and Chuck have a part time job working at a food court restaurant at the mall called the "Snack Shack" and they have a shift that night.
It must be a busy day at the mall because Archie and Chuck are swamped and are having a hard time keeping up with the orders. I can't say I know a lot about working fast food because I've never had a job in that industry, but I do work retail and it can be just as frustrating some days. There never seems to be enough help and the tasks seem like they would take forever to accomplish.
Fortunately, Mark is here to help them out. He found the "HELP WANTED" sign on the ground next to the Snack Shack, and Mark is interested in getting a job there. Because Archie and Chuck are desperate to get all their customers served, Archie pretty much hires him on the spot. There's just one problem. This is Mark's first part-time job and he has had zero experience in fast food. Archie is visibly frustrated by this, but Chuck is more cool as a cucumber and volunteers to train Mark himself. Before long, Mark is fit for a uniform and the three tag team the customers to get all of them served.
For what it's worth, Mark seems to do a great job, and the next time Archie and Chuck meet up at school, Chuck remarks at how acclimated Mark has gotten to the job. He only had to be told everything once, and at some points was even faster at serving customers than they were. But Archie still has reservations.
Now, before you think that Archie is being unnecessarily mean, keep in mind that Archie went through this before when Moose was diagnosed with dyslexia. It's possible that something might be wrong with Mark. And Archie's intuitions about people aren't usually wrong.
I mean, Mark hasn't exactly endeared himself to faculty of Riverdale High. He breaks rules unknowingly and makes fun of it when he pretends to misunderstand them. He is frequently turning in homework assignments late or not at all. And he appears to be too busy to read a newspaper story about his winning plays in the last football game, so he asks Chuck to read it to him in the locker room. A bit eccentric, but okay.
And while Archie is concerned that Mark is hiding something, Chuck is starting to suspect that not everything is as it seems when Chuck asks Mark to write a list of supplies that they need to replenish their storeroom. But of course, Mark makes up some excuse about having to clean the grill and his hands are dirty and greasy. This is getting very weird, and Chuck and Archie have a conversation as they take the garbage out to the dumpster. Archie and Chuck know that Mark is definitely hiding something, but neither one can figure it out. But one thing they can agree on is that Mark has been a real asset to the "Snack Shack". And after a whole month passes, something happens that is sure to brighten Mark's day. Apparently Mark has done such a great job that the bosses have declared him to be the employee of the month! That's great news! Surely, Mark will be super excited about it!
Or not. Something is DEFINITELY off here. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow for Part 2 of this tale. See you later! I'll let you try to figure out what is going on.
No comments:
Post a Comment