Dilbert cartoon first published on Sunday 23rd September 1990

Dilbert//526, first published 36 years ago on Sunday 23rd September 1990

Tags

dilbert dogbert procedures rules unmanageable interactions request additional food p-39 liquids

Official transcript

Dilbert tells Dogbert, "I've decided we need more structure in this household."

Dilbert continues, "Things are out of control . . . We have no procedures . . . No rules . . . It's totally unmanageable."

Dilbert points to a file cabinet and continues, "That's why I've developed a set of forms to guide our daily interactions."

Dilbert continues, "For example, this P-38 form is a request for additional food."

Dilbert continues, "The P-39 is for liquids and the P-40 is a convenient way to request both food and liquids."

Dogbert says, "Give me a P-39 form . . . I'm a little dry."

Later, Dogbert hands Dilbert the form and says, "Under 'purpose for distribution' I put 'thirsty.' I hope that's right."

Dilbert writes on the form and says, "Request denied . . . You used an outdated form."

originally published on dilbert.com

Open source transcript

I'VE DECIDED WE NEED MORE STRUCTURE IN THIS HOUSEHOLD.

THINGS ARE OUT OF CONTROL... WE HAVE NO PROCEDURES...

NO RULES... IT'S TOTALLY UNMANAGEABLE.

THAT'S WHY I'VE DEVELOPED A SET OF FORMS TO GUIDE OUR DAILY INTERACTIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THIS P-38 FORM IS A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FOOD.

THE P-39 IS FOR LIQUIDS AND THE P-40 IS A CONVENIENT WAY TO REQUEST BOTH FOOD AND LIQUIDS.

GIVE ME A P-39 FORM ... I'M A LITTLE DRY.

LATER UNDER "PURPOSE FOR DISTRIBUTION" I PUT "THIRSTY." I HOPE THAT'S RIGHT.

REQUEST DENIED...

YOU USED AN OUTDATED FORM.

collated from github.com/jvarn/dilbert-archive

AI Analysis

Title: "The P-39 and P-40 Conundrum"

Summary:

The comic strip revolves around a conversation between Dilbert and his boss, Dogbert. The discussion centers around the introduction of new forms, specifically the P-39 and P-40, which are designed to request liquids and food, respectively.

• Initial Discussion: The conversation begins with Dilbert expressing his frustration with the current system, stating that it is "totally unmanageable" due to the lack of control over procedures and rules.
• Introduction of P-39 and P-40: Dogbert introduces the new forms, explaining that the P-39 is for liquids and the P-40 is for food. He emphasizes that these forms are convenient ways to request both food and liquids.
• Dilbert's Response: Dilbert responds by requesting a P-39 form, but Dogbert corrects him, stating that he should use a P-40 form instead.
• Rejection of Request: Dilbert's request is rejected, as he is using an outdated form. This leads to a humorous exchange where Dilbert asks for a P-39 form, and Dogbert responds by putting "thirsty" under the "purpose for distribution" section, implying that Dilbert is thirsty.
• Conclusion: The comic strip concludes with Dilbert's request being denied again, and he is left frustrated with the new system.

Overall, the comic strip pokes fun at the bureaucratic nature of office work and the absurdity of using complex forms to request simple things like food and liquids.

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