Chapter 17, Page 17a: Extra ranch dressing

Hailey thought she was serving a fan. Turns out she was just serving condiments.

Poor Hailey. One viral moment and suddenly every interaction feels like the beginning of a redemption arc. Unfortunately, the universe has other plans — and those plans involve a side of extra ranch dressing.

Meanwhile, somebody mysterious is sliding into her DMs with promises of social-media glory. That’s probably fine. Nothing ominous ever starts with a stranger saying, “I can make that happen.”

Transcript

Text conversation on the left

Unknown: “Do you want your followers back?”

Hailey: “No.”

Unknown: “I can make that happen.”

Hailey: “I want twice as many.”

Unknown: “I won't wait forever.”

Hailey: “Sure. [eyeroll emoji]”

Unknown: “Opportunity requires initiative. I'll send my address.”

Panel 1:
Customer at a booth in Ralph’s Diner: “Hey! Aren’t you that girl who dumped soup on Captain Heroic?”
Hailey: “Ha-ha. Guilty!”

Panel 2:
Customer: “Could I ask you something?”
Hailey: “Say no more! I’m out of glossy photos, but I’ll be happy to sign your menu!”

Panel 3:
Customer: “That wasn’t my question.”
Hailey: “Oh. Go ahead! Anything for a fan!”

Panel 4:
Customer: “Can I get extra ranch dressing?”

Alt text

Four-panel “Evil Inc” comic with a sidebar showing a text conversation. On the left, waitress Hailey exchanges messages with an unknown sender. The messages read: “Do you want your followers back?” Hailey replies, “No. I want twice as many.” The sender says, “I can make that happen.” Hailey replies, “Sure. [eyeroll emoji]” The sender says, “I won't wait forever.” The sender finishes with, “Opportunity requires initiative. I'll send my address.”

In the comic panels, Hailey is working at Ralph’s Diner, wearing a short white waitress uniform and apron. She has long red hair and carries a pen and order pad. A middle-aged gray-haired customer in glasses sits at a booth eating a burger and fries.

In the first panel, the customer excitedly recognizes her and asks if she is “that girl who dumped soup on Captain Heroic.” Hailey smiles awkwardly and admits, “Ha-ha. Guilty!”

In the second panel, the customer asks, “Could I ask you something?” Hailey immediately assumes he wants an autograph and enthusiastically says she is out of glossy photos but would happily sign his menu.

In the third panel, the customer clarifies, “That wasn’t my question.” Hailey looks embarrassed and says, “Oh,” then gestures dramatically and says, “Go ahead! Anything for a fan!”

In the final panel, the customer simply asks, “Can I get extra ranch dressing?” Hailey looks deflated and disappointed while the customer remains casual and oblivious.