Rod’s quotes in this strip are actual comments made to me by a superior at a former job. The smack on the head is inspired a bully at a different job. Rod was pretty much an empty vessel for any workplace douchebaggery I experienced. Now that I remember, I don't feel so bad about that cup of coffee.

This strip marks the first appearance of Peg, another of Orneryboy’s co-workers. In keeping with my established character naming habits, all of his co-workers — Peg, Arbor, Rod, Brad, Axle, Cam, Mr. Pivot — have mechanical names, because they are all pieces of the corporate machine.