Judge, 1916-04-22 · page 13 of 28
Judge — April 22, 1916 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous domestic drama about a man attempting to seduce a woman. The satire targets masculine vanity and deception: the man repeatedly consults a mirror while flirting, suggesting his self-absorption undermines his seduction attempt. The joke centers on social hypocrisy. He proposes meeting in a secluded location, but she calls him out—she *insisted* on the public restaurant specifically because she saw through his intentions. She then reveals she's been watching him from her bungalow window and that his romantic gestures (roses) were transparent attempts at manipulation. The humor lies in the woman's superior awareness and control. When he orders elaborate food and wine to impress her, she deliberately chooses something simple, further deflating his efforts. The "interruption" (suggested by the man visible outside the window) prevents whatever he was building toward, making his elaborate scheming pointless. The cartoon mocks early 20th-century male courtship rituals and male assumption that women are easily manipulated.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
INTERRUPTED FLIRTATION By J. A, WALDRON AN quented?” He smiled at her across the table as he — cozy place where we would be away from all this.” He swept the asked the question and glanced with appreciation into human miscellany with a gesture, and then touched a detail of his amirror. They were in a restaurant which enjoyed as widea vogue — cravat skilfully, again consulting the mirror. for its extrinsic details of entertainment as for its minor particu- “But why should we have met ina more secluded lars of the menu, the prices on which and for related things more place?” than supported a cabaret, dance experts and a band. “Why not?” “I'm not afraid he replied with a responding smile. “Your question is leading. I shall be frank with “Tknow. It wasn’t that. But everybody comes in here during you. Thad no wish to mect in a secluded place.” the day or night. Even the gentleman from Kokomo with a chance 0? I thought you had.” local acquaintance might be seen here by his ordinarily distant but “W's did you insist upon a rendezvous in a place so fre- “Therefore I asked you why here? I thought we might find a ‘ou were determined to make my acquaint- f curious cousin from Kank: Figuratively, remote as well as — ance. Do you remember the first time you paused ) contiguous geographical points meet here.” at the window of my bungalow and bowed?” “That’s one reason why I like it. While I love to study the “ Perfectly.” individual, the mob also has a fascination for me. And have we “Though we never had been introduced.” anything to conceal? , “But there must always be a beginning. I had “Of course not!” He simulated a cough. “By the way, whut passed often. I always saw you in an attractive shall it be?” attitude, generally reading, or pretending to read, He indicated the bill. She selected something very simple. sometimes with a cigarette daintily poised. You were “Why not something more claborate—with wine?” he continued. __ irresistible! And when I sent you roses you wore them as I “No, thank you. I’m quite abstemious in publ: bowed the next morning.” comicbooks.com