The Family Function February 7, 2024 THE FAMILY FUNCTION – Painted Doggie Comic Panel 1: Foxwolf has arrived to Houndmage’s crowded family get-together. She nervously grins at the host. On one side of the doorway is a cross. On the other wall, there is a decorative plaque that says, “In This House, We Praise The Lord!” A sexy lord is reclined between the words. In the lower corner of the frame, there’s a “Person Meter” that’s about eighty percent full. Panel 2: Seated below an Art Décor Hand Painted Bible Verse American Flag Cross Holy Abstract Painting Large Art Pictures for Living Room Bedroom Office Decor at a packed dinner table, Foxwolf smiles weakly. The other guests around the table are laughing and enjoying the conversation. The Person Meter is at fifty percent. Panel 3: Dinner is over and the party is mingling throughout the house. In the busy hallway, Foxwolf is caught in an awkward conversation with a man she barely knows. Sweat pours past her glazed eyes and pained grimace. The man is determined to state his opinions. The Person Meter is at twenty-five percent. Panel 4: Foxwolf made her way to a couch corner in the game room. One of the guests beckons for her to join the next round of cards. Foxwolf waves off the request, retracting into the cushions. The Person Meter is nearly empty. An alert window displays, “WARNING! PERSON VEIL CRITICALLY LOW” Panel 5: Outside finally, Foxwolf waves goodbye to the smiling party-goers in the doorway. She is doing her best impression of a pleasant expression and melting into her own shoulders. The Person Meter is completely empty, and the warning has updated to, “WARNING! PERSON VEIL DOWN CRITICAL FAILURE” Panel 6: Houndmage and Dogwolf are in the car driving home. The Person Meter says, “LOADING,” and has a bar now that says “REBOOTING…” Foxwolf grips the steering wheel thinking about all the dumb ways she was at the party and frowns sadly.