Okay, so: Marion's overhearing this conversation about the Equal Chance Program. What exactly does this mean? Is he going to hop out of bed and interject somehow? Is he going to keep eavesdropping and then go to sleep pleased that there's some path forward for him, and then discuss it with Steward tomorrow morning? Or is he going to actually run away in the middle of the night, afraid of what the ECP entails based on this vague overheard discussion of it? I think Steward's response in the next strip after having said "That's not the point..." at the end of this one will decide what happens.
Marion participating in the ECP would involve him taking the General Obedience Exam. If it's just common-sense practical stuff, he should be able to ace it. Then he becomes a pet (on paper only) and can pursue his education again while looking for a way to return to being human. The question is, what educational track would he be on? I feel like this is going to wind up with Marion having to repeat a year (or two) of high school. A school setting would be neat, and he'd get a chance to interact with Miles and Rockstar and that's a potential path to King and Kitsune. And we can finally see
what King is doing about that job thing.
In this scenario, there's also the question of where Marion will be living. Personally, I'd like to see him live at Jess' so we get more time with Falstaff & Truck, Craig & Draig. and Steward. Then Steward/Craig/Draig can get suspicious of Marion when he shows how good he is at his studies and eventually he may have to confess that he used to be human, and we get some good character development out of it. But is Jess' place ruled out, since it seems to be for ferals only? There's also the off-chance that he winds up with Lois, but she'd probably be all graduated and making plans to move off to college by the time Marion's on the market for an "owner". But then again, River Ridge could have a university we haven't seen yet, so he could be repeating senior year of high school and living with Lois at her house while she commutes to college. Marion living back with his parents feels like it'd be a stretch.
Idea: King goes to the newly-revealed-to-exist River Ridge University to get a degree so he can get a good job to provide for Bailey and his pups. He's in one of Lois' classes and they become study buddies for a group project or something. Marion meets King via him coming over to Lois' house so they can put some time into said project/prepare for an exam/etc.
Lois: [
Opens the door to her house, King right behind her. Both have backpacks on.] Oh crud, I forgot to tell you, but I have a pet who's a little skittish around dogs. He's quite small and had a bad run-in with one once. I don't know how to say this without sounding rude, but, uh...
King: Keep my instincts in check? Don't worry about it. I haven't chased a squirrel in, well... ever, really.
Lois: How come? Were you an inside dog or something?
King: Umm... it's complicated.
[
King and Lois walk into the kitchen, where they were planning on getting set up. Marion's there right now, reading over stuff for his classes.]
Marion: Stupid Lit class, changing the curriculum... I knew Jane Eyre front to back and they throw me a curveball with- [
He looks up from his notes, having been too focused on them to hear the two come in.] Oh, hey Lois. Did you ever read The Great Gatsb- [
He notices King and freaks out, jumping up from the table onto the lighting fixture above.]
Marion:
Gah! Who is that?!? Why'd you bring him here?!?
King: A a
little skittish? And why'd you call her a he?
Lois: Umm... it's complicated.