Amos, you said, "It's kind of droll seeing the battle of imaginary wits being levied against an imaginary shuck."

I think you probably meant to say "schmuck"...   Am I right? It's a pretty good word to describe Shane and his whole zeitgeist.

Rapparee, I don't think you've done anything wrong. To the contrary, I think you've expressed yourself very well and made your point quite clear. Shane gets very annoyed by your threats. He walks off, muttering darkly, and vowing deadly retaliation, but this amounts to nothing but empty threats...as you say, "posturing". It's one of the things Shane does best.

Chongo, on the other hand, seems to be amused when you talk tough to him. He chuckles warmly, scratches himself, and makes those little "ook! ook!" sounds that Chimps make when they're enjoying themselves.

It's nice of you to remember Veronica Rutledge, although I don't think she'd be a bit pleased by being referred to as "Venereal Veronica". She and Penelope are barely on speaking terms these days. Penelope does not approve of Veronica's dating activities. Veronica has taken up with a posh young wastrel named James Quillington Letchworthy or "Quilly" for short, and they've been partying around in London, Paris, and Monaco, raising eyebrows and generally behaving like utter prats. Even Miley Cyrus would be embarrassed.