The Wasp — 1887 — page 33: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This multi-panel comic depicts a poker game between characters identified as "Young Clarence" and "Skinner." The narrative follows an escalating dispute: the writer apparently "passes" and Clarence "calls," prompting a waiter to intervene. The conflict intensifies through subsequent panels, culminating in physical violence—guns are drawn, a woman is involved in the chaos, and finally Skinner beats Clarence with a club. The satire appears to mock the absurdity of gambling disputes and their disproportionate consequences. The title "A Quiet Little..." ironically undercuts the increasingly violent scenes. Without additional historical context identifying these specific characters, the broader point seems to be social commentary on male aggression and the gaming culture of the era, presented through exaggerated comedic violence typical of early 20th-century satirical humor.