A comic. Emma is wearing a hospital gown in a nondescript white space. A voice says, “you’re so pretty.” She responds with irritation, “me? you must not have noticed my many flaws i'm actually large and awkward and lumpy and sweaty and i-” She is cut off mid-sentence by a corrective electric shock. “no,” says the voice. “i like your comics,” the voice says. Emma, who is still recovering from the shock, says without thinking, “you are so full of—“ before catching herself and amending to, “nnnice words,” but she can’t stop herself from adding, “but i genuinely can’t see my work as anything but trash and it makes me thínk less of you for liking—” She is cut off again by a shock. “no,” says the voice. The voice says, “you’re a good mom.” “Tha—“ says Emma, starting to contradict, before gritting her teeth and saying, “—ank you. That’s kind of you to say.” She holds her forced smile but flinches, anticipating another shock. Instead, the voice says, “you’re good at your job.” Emma, frustrated, yells, “what???” She quickly tries to add “a sweet thing to say,” but is cut off again by another shock.
a quick comic about deflection
