Rough-House

But even though Wimpy usually takes rather than gives, he is arguably even more purely a figure of charity since Wimpy will treat an adversary like Rough-House with such kindness.

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

Wimpy tries to talk his way out of the fix, denying his identity, but taken by surprise and flustered, the trickster fails this time, and Rough-House beats him up off-panel, as Popeye seems amused.

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

But on the following Sunday, March 26, 1933, Rough-House's customers are laughing at how Wimpy fooled Rough-House and Popeye with his disguise.

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

Rough-House, Geezil, and the other customers are disgusted that the prank failed and that Wimpy "didn't even know the difference" between a real burger and the fake.

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

It seems that Wimpy regards even Rough-House as a friend, or at least as a potential friend, and is consciously or unconsciously ignoring the fact that Rough-House hates him.

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

In the June 4, 1933 Sunday strip Rough-House needs to drum up more customers, and Popeye suggests hiring a scientist to devise a formula to increase someone's appetite so much "a man'll steal the spinach off'n his own kid's plate."

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

He will treat Popeye and Rough-House as his friends despite their resentment of him-and despite the fact that he continually mooches from them.

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

As Rough-House readies to punch him, Wimpy realizes this time he's caught and puts his hands together in prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep."

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

But when the new customer says he forgot his wallet and will pay Rough-House Tuesday, Popeye and Rough-House finally see through Wimpy's disguise, and Popeye has to restrain Rough-House, who seems to be in a berserker rage, from severing Wimpy's head with a cleaver!

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010

Rough-House really needs psychiatric help at this point, but Popeye lets himself be persuaded by W.mpy's foremost nemesis, George W. Geezil, that "W.at he [W.mpy] needs should be chasing from town."

Quick Stop Entertainment Peter Sanderson 2010