My interpretation was simply that Helen, being a well-adjusted mad scientist, simply doesn’t care whether or not Artie “replies” to her before or after she speaks. As far as she’s concerned, she’s having a productive conversation and it’s only for Dave’s sake that she even bothers to make him stop.

And I suppose I get sent to the “sin bin” once again for telling would-be real-life Mells how to send gerbils into space for real?

Sigh… being a mad scientist is so difficult some days…

Actually, if someone were to make real-life holograms of the Narbonic cast, I bet they’d look really cool! And they’re easy to make, too–all you need is a laser, a couple of beam splitters and some mirrors, a darkroom, your holographic subject(s), a little knowledge of optical physics, and some weapons-grade thorium…

Oh, wait, did you mean in-comic holograms? {nervous laugh} In that case, let’s just forget about the thorium… -_^

(Actually, if someone besides me knows how to make holograms in real life, and has both the desire and the equipment to do so, I bet Shaenon would be tickled pink to see her “children” in 3D. Talk about your Sunday fan-art specials! ^___^)

I loved those things as a kid. Did you know that they’re still around? http://www.estesrockets.com

Not that I’m talking from personal experience {attempting to look innocent and almost but not quite succeeding}, but trying to launch them indoors is a bad idea…

(No, I never launched them indoors for real. Thought about it a few times, but decided it was safer not to.)

The strip suggests he’s running at the same height as Dave is, and we don’t see a shadow underneath him … so secret comedic super power?

No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!
No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!
No, oh no, Dave’s gonna put the moves on Helen!

Crushing on his boss,
By lust he is consumed!
It can be assumed
That Davenport is doomed!
Oh no-o-o, Dave’s gonna try to put the moves on Helen!

So, Artie can predict
Just what Dave will say!
Although to be completely strict
He missed it by a day!
Oh no-o-o, I know Dave’s gonna put the moves on Helen!

Fourth-wall-breaking dialogue: 50! I think. (This earth-and-mimesis-shattering milestone reveals almost as much about our author’s writing style as it does about my inexplicable fixation thereof.)

It’s a bit ponderously hard to imagine that Dave has been honestly chasing this rodent for the past 3 2 episodes over a threat to tell a secret to someone who isn’t even part of the story, or even a ‘person’ at all.