October 25, 2009: Sunday Showdown!

(Click to enlarge)

Clockwise from the bottom left:

• Has text messaging become so mainstream and commonplace that even the Lockhorns are finally utilizing it now? Didn't they just recently discover microwave ovens and the polio vaccine? Technically, Loretta shouldn't get the credit here for mocking Leroy's life long struggle with illiteracy, but I'm going to assume she immediately texted him back to tell him she ridiculed him in front of a friend. Loretta gets the first point.
• Loretta continues her blistering start to today's showdown by dealing Leroy a serious buzzkill after what was a rare memorably pleasant day on the links. This scene captures a fragile moment in time just before Loretta's demand for yard work registers with Leroy and his once beaming smile collapses like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Also, did Leroy steal an 8 year old's set of golf clubs? Is this what he considers having a "good golf game"? Loretta takes a commanding 2-0 lead.
• Leroy finally makes it onto the board by pulling off one of the rarest of mocking feats: the wordless insult. I'm almost tempted to give him an extra point for the sheer difficulty of the maneuver. I am, however, a little puzzled and disturbed as to how and when Leroy obtained a wall sized poster of Loretta's anachronistic Victorian era mother. Whatever he did or paid to get the picture, it was definitely well worth it. Leroy carves out a point.
• The Lockhorns seem to both understand that purchasing a comfortable bed for the guest room would be a big waste of money since it's highly unlikely that anyone would opt for an overnight visit to the Lockhorns. For all those poor guests and unwitting visitors that are unfortunate enough to have to spend a night at Casa Lockhorns, we now know that their sleeping arrangements will be just as uncomfortable and miserable as their interactions with their hosts. It's a push.
• While Leroy's frugal choice for dinner is mostly driven by his obvious insensitive cheapness, it's sadly also partially driven by the same issues with illiteracy that Loretta mocked earlier today. Leroy can easily make his food order by pointing to the crude drawings of the hot dog or the hamburger rather than suffer through the humiliating ordeal of attempting to read a restaurant menu. In either situation, Loretta will always be ready with a cruel rebuke. Loretta gets the point and takes the day 3 to 1.

Official Count:

Leroy - 92
Loretta - 116
Push - 90