Panel 1: In
the title panel of this Sunday-style colour comic, a giant red-eyed
monster labelled "PH.D." is menacing Marie as Casey watches from a
distance. The words "WEST OF BATHURST BY KARI MAAREN" are printed on
the floor.
Panel 2: Marie and Casey are walking through a park. Marie has a blue jacket on; Casey, as per usual, is jacketless.
Casey: So you're definitely going to start your Ph.D. next year?
Marie: Yeah...I may as well.
Panel 3:
Casey: You sound enthusiastic.
Marie: I'm taking the degree because I don't know what else to do. It's not unusual.
Panel 4:
Casey: You're procrastinating on life?
Marie: Sure. But I don't know...I see what the Ph.D. does to people, and I wonder if it's worth it.
Panel 5:
Marie:
Rahim's an incurable cynic. Barbara's completely unhinged. Tom's spent
four years trying to pass one exam. You seem fine, but you may also be
Satan.
Panel 6: Marie seizes Casey by the arms.
Marie: What's going to happen to me? What psychosis will I develop? Will the postponement of my life choices come at too high a price? How will the Ph.D. warp my mind?
Panel 7:
Casey: I would suggest it might turn you into a chronic worrier, but I think it's too late for that.
Marie [clutches her head]: I can feel my brain cells mutating already!
Alt-Text: Personally, I am cynical, paranoid, *and* insane...but I never did spend four years trying to pass one exam.
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