Civilian Pay

Nov 5, 2025 — Comic #343

In an office, a Coastie holds up her phone: “Good news! We got paid despite the shutdown!” Others react: “...And somehow more than usual?” “Woo!” “Did anyone else’s come stuffed in a gym bag?” She asks, “Has anyone seen our civilian? I wonder if he got paid.” “He’s probably furloughed.” “...Lucky.” The next panel shows the civilian as a cobweb-covered skeleton slumped at his desk, near a board of “Shutdown Tips” like “Hire loan shark” and “Downsize home to cardboard box.”

Don’t worry, he’ll be buried with backpay

Read the transcript

Good news! We got paid despite the shutdown! / …And somehow more than usual? / Woo! / Did anyone else’s come stuffed in a gym bag? / By the way, has anyone seen our civilian? I wonder if he got paid / He’s probably furloughed / …Lucky / [board: Shutdown Tips – Sell off cherished family heirlooms; Hire loan shark; Get second job, such as pirate or jewel thief; Downsize home to cardboard box]

shutdown pay

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