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Airport Meeting

|< < Prev #3269 (July 8, 2026)

Title text: Although it was a setback for physics, I'm glad the particle naming rights issue led to the cancelation of Pizza Hut's Superconducting Super Collider in the early 90s, so the Double Stuffed Extra Cheese Topping Quark ended up just being named 'top quark.'

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Explanation

Michelin are a company that manufacture tyres for cars, heavy machinery, and even the Space Shuttle. However, they have also made the Michelin Guide, a guide to restaurants originally across France, but now also including many other countries.

Red Bull are a company that manufacture the eponymous energy drink. However, they have also invested heavily in motorsport events, competing as a team in NASCAR and Formula One.

The comic jokes that this is because two employees accidentally swapped briefcases at an airport, suggesting that originally Michelin was supposed to break into the motorsport business and Red Bull were supposed to release a restaurant travel guide, which better fits with the companies' existing specialties.

Transcript

[Cueball and Ponytail are standing together and talking to each other. Cueball holds a black briefcase, while Ponytail has a grey briefcase next to her.]

Cueball: I do restaurant analysis for a beverage company.

Ponytail: Neat! I work in the automotive industry, developing parts for specialized vehicles.

[Same as first panel, but Cueball has put down his briefcase next to Ponytail's and pulled out his phone]

Cueball: Oh, my flight is boarding. It was nice to meet you!

Ponytail: You too!

[Ponytail and Cueball walk off in opposite directions, carrying each other's original briefcase]

Header: Years Later:

[A book with a star on it that reads:]

Michelin Tire Company

Star Restaurant Guide

[A fancy sports car, facing to the right. On the body of the car, it says:]

Red Bull Supercar

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