Significant Students

SIGNIFICANT STUDENTS

Significant Students is a series of cartoons based on the real lives and events of atypical college students from the years of 1967 to 1971. The names have been altered, as have the characters, for the enjoyment of the reader and the relief of the writer. Each vignette will be a typical event in the typical lives of our students, who typically react. Ho-hum.

Starring:

Peace Freak:

Acting leader of this motley crew and designated hippie

Bear:

The philosopher of the group and activist egghead

Kid Counselor:

Part-time profiteer in the arts and capitalist

Roadrunner:

Product of the ever-active adrenaline gland and the 50’s reject

Gramps:

Recognized by his sloppy and horny smile.

SIGNIFICANT STUDENTS

“Significant Students” is a series of cartoons based on the lives and events of five atypical college students. The names have been changed, as have the characters, for the enjoyment of the reader and the relief of the writer. Each vignette will be a typical event in the typical lives of our students who typically react.

But first let me introduce these characters!

Gramps: is the oldest, the dumbest, the complainer, noteworthy in his noteworthlessness. He is recognizable by his sloppy appearance and crackly smile. Caution! Approach with care. He is dangerous!

This is “Kid Counselor”. Artist and camera bug, part time profiteer in the arts around this sprawling university. His ability is limited by an overwhelming inferiority complex. He is quite noticeable by his constant mutterings about frogs.

“Roadrunner”, master of velocity, better known as roadrunner, master of velocity. A product of an overactive adrenaline gland, he is never satisfied to be in one place over 2.75 minutes. He can usually be found around his bug, playing his guitar.

“P.F.”, known to our fans as Peace Freak, Poor Fool, Pacifistic Fink, Pourk Park...what have you. His diet consist of nicotine, alcohol, and dope in varying amounts. Standing a head above everyone else, he is acting leader of this motley crew.

Bear, The grade getter, the honor’s holder, he is the hypocritical speaker and philosopher of the group. He thrives on books, games, teddy bears, and other non-edible junk. Truth, justice, and the American way are goals which bring him much confusion.

EATS

On an occasion when the Significant Students meet (which is just about every afternoon) each does what he likes to do. On this day, they met at the usual spot to do what they usually do. Sit Around! This lack of motivation has been chosen by democratic vote and by the fact that no one is willing to lead this group of goof-offs. Conversations are seldom heard for fear of controversial quarrels arising from differences in opinion. Suddenly the silence is broken.

“Let’s get something to eat!”

Being that our students are typical “skip-meals-at-cafe, eat-candy-bar-for-lunch, always-hungry” types, this idea strikes their fancy.

Every school (or so I am told) has a special “hang-out” for students. The prices are high, the food lousy, the atmosphere appalling, and (most important) the girls are plentiful. So the Significant Students head for their favorite eating establishment, known as the “Chicken Coop”, run by a little Cuban named Pierre, who specializes in Chinese and Italian styles southern fried hot dogs.

On entering, they sit themselves down at their favorite table, only to have to move to another one because a fraternity “wanted to sit together” (fraternities are all powerful in college, you know). Once permanently seated with grumbles, and gripes, they receive their menus.

“What’ll have?”

The major problem arises when it becomes clear that although everyone is hungry enough to eat no one is hungry enough to order.

As the waitress leaves conversation quickens to “Did you read the last chapter Professor Whipplewink wanted us to read?...What did you think of the 42 page psy. test... I wish I could drop out of modern medieval history course, it’s such a bore!”

...time marches on!

Just when all hope is lost, over the horizon comes the lone waitress.

The finale to a perfect meal is the coming of the check, and, of course, no one has enough money!

JOBS

In everyone’s life there comes a time when the need for responsible employment is called for. In other words, you run out of money. And so the Significant Students decide no only to enrich their minds, but also their pocketbooks. A part-time college employment is searched for. Resumes are sent out, phone calls are made, and interviews set. Day after day, after long strenuous classes each applicant prepares for his opportunity to enhance the business world.

After getting spruced up with Sunday’s best, Kid Counselor (our representative from the Significant Students and most highly motivated to inquire about employment) gathers examples of his work-displaying his social, moral, ethical, political, and hysterical activities- proceeds to the personnel office.

His eager procession is slowed a bit once inside by being at the end of a long line, all applying for the same executive position. One by one each applicant enters the office, while the secretary asks the rest to wait patiently.

Finally, Kid Counselor is called into the interview room.

Once inside, he presents his forms, gives references, answers questions, shows his work, and tries to “Song and dance” his way into the hearts and files of...

...”The Company”.

After several days of worrisome waiting “The Co.” sends six dozen forms to be filled out in triplicate and sent to their head offices in Pango-Pango, Scakway, Alaska, and Little America.

Included are self-addressed envelopes, but no stamps.

“Have you ever had hemorrhoids, ptomaine poisoning, crotch rot, venereal disease, hernias, or any hallucinogenic drugs?”

After all forms are received and checked, Kid Counselor receives a medical information form. This means he has to see a doctor.

A couple of weeks roll by and the red tape is cleared so he can be assigned his equal employment executive career.

The hours work well with his schedule. Now, he goes to work directly after class and gets home in time for 3 1/2 hours sleep. Since his weekends are free, he can work day and night shifts, all for 79¢ an hour.

“Boy, I sure am lucky to have such a great job!”

Suddenly, he is replaced! Not because he has not done his job to completion, but because the boss has found someone to work for 69¢ an hour.

Once again, among the throngs of the unemployed Kid Counselor, decides to use his newly found wealth for a useful, meaningful purpose- going to a rock festival.

VACATION

Even those hardworking Significant Students must take a break from their book learning and take some time off for rest and relaxation. Perhaps a weekend rations! No Books! No Work! No Studies! No Problems? A few essential articles are packed and these hardy travelers begin their voyage.

After may hour of rugged traveling they pause to figure out where they are and where they are going ( a small undertaking that always seems to be forgotten)

Once again they are off following the easy-to-read road signs.

Occasionally stopping to enhance themselves with historical sights and beautiful scenery or relieve “Travelers’ fatigue.”

While pressing onward they pass may a strange traveler

When all hope (and fuel) are almost gone, they reach their destination.

The chores are handed out:

1. Pitch the tent

2. Get the food

3. Look for girls!

Once settled, the Significant Students bathe themselves in good weather.

After several fulfilled days in their tents playing cards, drinking beer, and exchanging small talk (that’s all there’s room for) the happy Significant Students depart this hideaway.

Once home they reminiscence over the abundance of girls, the clear skies, and the aching sunburn (the Significant Students are the only ones I know who can sunburn in the rain)

.

BLIND DATE

In every college there are social events that require the companionship of the opposite sex. Thus the extra-curricular sport of dating takes place between the normal red-blooded all American college Joe’s and Jill’s. Being that none of the Significant Students live up to either of their before mentioned descriptions they have a hard time getting dates. Usually a friend’s friend befriends a friend to find a friend that will go out with any of these weaklings in the waning world of woo. And so the Blind Date is made. But they still make excuses like these...

“Nope! Can’t make it! Garden needs tending”

“Oh wow! man, I’m too zonked to play that far-out game. Like man, chicks want to rap about meaningful relationships and I just can’t dig it!”

“My love, the essence of beauty, come fly with me in my magic carpeted buggy and I’ll make you swoon with lovely songs on my gittar.”

“Get lost you corny male chauvinist bumpkin”

“Hay! You want a piece of candy, lil’ girl? hee hee”

(there’s no excuse in that)

And there comes a time when the excuses run out and they must be brave and escort their blind date. Such is the case with Roadrunner, better known as “Snowman, Master to the act of loving, wooing, and all that stuff.”

As everyone knows preparing for a date, especially a blind date, consists of a good scrub down, fancy mod 3-piece gray flannel suit. This process of “dudeing up” is to make a good impression, although it can be linked to this masculine vain ego.

Soon the hour arrives, the flowers are bought and the poor sap waits patiently outside the house checking the address and summoning up enough courage to ring the bell.

The father’s reception is warm and cheerful. He starts with a quick glance over Roadrunner’s suit (to see how well dressed he is and to make sure his fly’s not down), then they enter into a timely conversation until the young lady is through in her preparation.

“Your early ain’t you, boy? Why don’t you get a haircut? Where are you going? I want my daughter in by 10:30 P.M.! If you lay a finger on her, I’ll....”

After passing an eternity in the inquisition, Roadrunner is relieved to see the mother bring the young lady in. The shock (or should I say surprise) of the first meeting pass quickly and not one to stand on protocol, this able bodied sucker lead his night’s companion out the door and to their destinations.

Like most untypical college students, “The Date” consists of the usual ordeals:

1. The make-out drive-in movie

2. The favorite drive-in cheapo hamburger joint

The curfew time finally arrives, much to the dismay of the couple who are having such a wonderful time. As he takes her to the door she shyly “thanks him” with a little kiss, then runs inside.

Roadrunner, not one to be easily taken in by such shows of affection, shrugs it off as an adolescent act of a naive child. In others words, he’s fallen for her.

“My work (ribbit), my work must get done! It’s piling up on me (ribbit) and I have a headache (ribbit) mumble (ribbit) mumble...mumble...”

To Gramps it’s wasting time.

But this weekend arrives and it’s party time for the Significant Students.

“You and Yours are cordially invited to the third annual Jawsmashing and Hogstomping Contest. B.Y.O.D.”

To prepare for the gathering certain chores are assigned.

1. Cleaning and straightening up the mess

made during the week.

2. Preparing decorations and displaying

the Significant Students creativity.

3. Selecting the records and munchies

This is the one time during the week the Significant Students remove their old, smelly, worn-out, patched up jeans and sweat shirts and put on their fanciest, new, Sunday-go-to-meeting jeans and sweat shirts.

One by one, each arrives with the date (usually a hand-me-down from another member of the group). Immediately upon entering the other swarm around to introduce themselves.

The record player grinds out their favorite tune to the patter of little feet. (Although everyone enjoys slow dances much more).

And the muchies are partaken of (or should I say...devoured).

As is the usual custom, the lights dim, the music softens, and each couple fights for a cozy sofa or chair in a dark corner.

STRIKE!

Our story begins thusly:

Partaking of the beauties and quiet life of the campus community the Significant Students stumble across a mass crowd listening to various orators voicing their demands upon passerby’s.

Being typically naive, the Significant Students stop to listen.

“Brothers, sisters, members of the movement! It’s time to fight back! It’s time to kick the Anglo-Saxon system in the ass! It’s time to down the establishment! Thoske honkies called us niggers and cotton pickers too long! Rise up and take your freedom! Strike for us! Right on! Black power!

“Hey man! It’s time to fight those fuckers back! It’s time to kick the system in the butt! Bring down the establishment! Those pig dudes have ripped us off and shoved us up against the wall too often! Dig it! Strike for us! Revolution!”

“Sister feminist! It’s time to fight back!

It’s time to kick the system in the crotch! It’s time the establishment came down! The shackles of masculine domination have made us burn our bras and girdles, and grow hair on our legs and arm pits! Cut him off! Strike for us! Women’s liberation!”

“Tweeties! It’s th time to fight back those big bulliesth! It’s th time to grab the ths tum by the ballsth~! It’sth time to pull down the ethtablishments pants! We have been denied bny those poo-poo’s long enough! Free usth from brutality! Strike for uksth! Gay power!”

“Members of mankind! It’s time to fight back! It’s time to kick the system in the seat of it’s pants! It’s time to turn around the establishment! We’ve had our water, air, land, population polluted by the labor industries! It’s the end of man! Strike for us! Revolution will open the way for ecology!”

“Strike”

“Dig It”

“Get It Together”

After all is said and done (not much of either) the Significant Students stroll off pondering what the Student soothe sayers had proclaimed.

“That’s the ticket, guys! We’ve gotta get with it and join the movement or we’ll be put down!”

To his embarrassment and anger - all do not agree!

“I wonder if frog’s strike?”

“Let’s go somewhere! There’s nothing doing here!”

“Who would we be striking for?”

“They are doing it all wrong.”

Long Live Militant Apathy

During the school year, our Significant Students have been known for being hard workers.

Always hitting the books.

Using every minute to better their skills or widen their philosophical views.

A fleeing moment is not spent without some sort of meaningful communication.

All is in ready for...

EXAMS

The process of looking back over the books is necessary to see what was missed in lectures (This process is called cramming). The Significant Students realize as never before how much they really know.

There are only 3 choices to take in this situation:

1. Cheat notes (from a reliable source like the dean’s secretary)

2. Brown nose the professor- (better known as bribery)

3. Taking the exam (which most poor unfortunates wind up doing)

After 4 or 5 hours of struggling over right or wrong, multiple guess, and fill in the void, the Significant Students leave the classroom less 100 exam books, 22 pencils, and a carton and a half of cigarettes.

The following days pass quickly and grades are posted. Unfortunately you didn’t get the grade you expected. As a matter of fact, you didn’t even get close.

In which case tensions must be relieved. (Usually finding the crumb that ripped you off with fake cheats notes).

HOME

The months pass quickly for the Significant Students and before they realize it, it’s time to go home.

After many months of absence the Students are greeted with open arms.

“Get a haircut!”

“Are we spending all our dough so you can bring home grades like those there?!”

“Mow the lawn, clean the windows, wax the floors, wash the dishes, ......”

“With all that book learning, I’d think you’d know how to act respectable!”

“For Sale”

So ends another school year for the Significant Students. If they can suffer through the heat of the summer and tolerate the nagging of their parents for three months, they will cheerfully trot back to the books, classes, and professors whom they so dearly dislike.

For college is a blessing to these professional students and they’ll be back for more exciting adventures.

Clypht Lephtwytch circa 1970