My knowledge of therapeutic puppetry is limited to what I read in Skin Horse, but it seems to be a way to reduce stress in therapeutic encounters. Here it’s extended to business, and both people are trying to keep things calm. In addition, Mike Baldwin has the subordinate getting interrupted by his puppet to make sure we realize that the situation makes no sense and we should just relax.
Or it’s just that the office etiquette is for the puppeteer out of sight. For the other fellow to be there in plain sight with his puppet is … silly!
Recalling a Far Side panel where a professor walks into a meeting and sees all the other professors are carrying ducks. He is appalled to realize he forgot to bring his own duck. Larson doesn’t even try to explain; he just leaves us to reflect that the meeting is not only absurd but the absurdity is required.
I think it’s a good gag, well done. The initial focal point was the fellow under the desk, which changed for me to realize he wasn’t talking to one but to both. And good writing, another gag on top of that.
It’s also rather difficult for both the puppet and its puppeteer to talk at once.
All I can think of is the movie “Magic” with Anthony Hopkins.
Comics I Don't Understand 
My knowledge of therapeutic puppetry is limited to what I read in Skin Horse, but it seems to be a way to reduce stress in therapeutic encounters. Here it’s extended to business, and both people are trying to keep things calm. In addition, Mike Baldwin has the subordinate getting interrupted by his puppet to make sure we realize that the situation makes no sense and we should just relax.
Or it’s just that the office etiquette is for the puppeteer out of sight. For the other fellow to be there in plain sight with his puppet is … silly!
Recalling a Far Side panel where a professor walks into a meeting and sees all the other professors are carrying ducks. He is appalled to realize he forgot to bring his own duck. Larson doesn’t even try to explain; he just leaves us to reflect that the meeting is not only absurd but the absurdity is required.
I think it’s a good gag, well done. The initial focal point was the fellow under the desk, which changed for me to realize he wasn’t talking to one but to both. And good writing, another gag on top of that.
It’s also rather difficult for both the puppet and its puppeteer to talk at once.
All I can think of is the movie “Magic” with Anthony Hopkins.