I often write the phrase, “This comic was based on a real conversation with the real Ric,” or something to that effect. You could be excused for wondering just how directly I pattern these conversations on the real events, and how accurately I describe my, Ric’s, and Missy’s behavior. In general, the cartoon versions of us say meaner things to each other than we do in real life, but that’s the main difference. As evidence of this, please see the attached photo, which Ric sent to me after he had described his culinary triumph.