When we last left our story, it was a happy day. Which is how it is supposed to be in the new world order. Negative feelings, melancholy, and the like were illegal and not tolerated. And those who chose to buck the status quo were likely to find themselves in the readjustment center. But what else can you expect from a society that no doubt accepts the “Happy Meal” as the official food of choice.
However, not everyone has signed on to this way of life. Jerry, who had his rose colored glasses knocked off by an auto accident, and his new friend Kim would rather wallow in despair, just like we were meant to. Kim, for her part, had her joy taken away by an unexpected Olympic Judo loss. No happy feelings for Kim. The problem was, how can they escape their happiness inducing prison.
Blending In
The initial thought was to just go with the flow and make those in charge believe they have bought in to their situation. Who cares about spikes in unemployment and racist violence in the South? The weather is great so why worry about anything else. Yeah….that’s the ticket. It almost worked, at least they thought so. But not so fast my miserable friends. They haven’t finished with their standard treatments. Why would anyone want to leave when there are happy leeches to be applied. However, the medical staff didn’t take into consideration that their “happy” leeches didn’t like “unhappy” blood. And Jerry and Kim had plenty to spare. So since capitulation didn’t work, how about just kicking some ass and leaving?
Following the Kim Train
Well, to be honest the plan was more for KIM to kick some ass while Jerry just follows her with some words of encouragement and trying to stay out of her way. SUCCESS! Now that their out, they needed some fast wheels. Ok…ANY wheels would do. Fortunately, they found just what the doctor ordered…if the doctor was a clown. Because THAT’s what they found: A Clown Car. If that wasn’t good enough news, the car had a map. This was good because since the government had shut down all the internet signals, maps had come back into Vogue. So Kim and Jerry had just what they wanted: It’s had a clown motor, 2 cylinder at best, it’s had clown tires, clown suspensions, and clown shocks. So was this the new Unhappy Mobile or what? (With apologies to the Blue Brothers).
They were so happy that they escaped they almost forgot they were supposed to be miserable. But before they got out of dodge, Jerry wanted to visit his Grandmother. She was in a old age home and he wanted to see her before they left. Surely, the misery they were so desperately seeking would be found there. At least, that’s what Jerry expected. But nope, it was like a Mardi Gras party in there. Had the happy police infiltrated everywhere?
The Green Lawns Retirement Home and Bone China Company
Kim knew this wasn’t right. Many of these people were dying. She could see the misery and pain in their eyes even though they were smiling. She couldn’t stand there without saying anything. Naturally, that wasn’t taken to kindly by the staff and she was escorted out of the building…with emphasis. When they asked Jerry if he was with that “disruptive” young woman, he claimed he was not and he had only come to see his Grandmother. She appeared to be as happy as everyone else. But when Jerry got her alone, she admitted that she was not as happy as she let on. The staff looked down upon negative attitudes, so she blended in. But she knew the score. It was a miserable place and she would soon pass on, but she would deal with it, just like she has her whole
Jerry left the nursing home, sad to think about eventually losing his Grandma. But he was even more disturbed to find that the Clown Car and Kim were gone. Well Jerry wanted misery…Congratulations! So now what? We wait for issue 3.
Thoughts
The whole concept of Happy Hour is revealing and no shortage of fun. With the misery that 2020 has brought to so many people, the idea of a society that demands a positive attitude is not that far fetched. It certainly would cut down on the paper work if everyone was content in their lives no matter what their circumstance were. However, the treatments to get people there are seem counter productive to happiness. Electrodes on a person’s genitals would not put them in a “happy place.” While the puppy treatment (from Issue One) seems very similar to the mind washing techniques employed by Hydra in Agents of Shield…especially the taping of the eyes to force them open. “Compliance will be rewarded.”
Original and Fun
The creative team of Milligan and Montenat have given us another well done chapter in what is an originally and fun narrative. Although, it does make you wonder how come the parents of those children who had surrounded the clown car were so angry…just because they felt their kids were being disrespected. What happened to put on a happy face?? Just shows you that happy is fine, unless you dare to mistreat my kids…then you’re going down!! I also had to smile at the name of the Senior Citizens home: The Green Lawn Retirement Home and Bone China Company. Reminds me of the businesses I used to see during my youth. Names like Fred’s Lawnmower Repair and Tax Service were common. Multitasking is the name of the game, I guess.
To say I look forward to the next chapter would be an understatement. Curious to see what Milligan and Montenat have next for Happy Hour. What will Jerry do now that Kim is gone and where did Kim go? Will they find the unhappiness that all young couples desire? Bring on Issue 3.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
