The Day the Notifications Stopped

Scene:
Niel Flamm sits in a recliner wearing a dramatic pirate-style eye patch over his left eye. Laptop closed. Phone face down.

Panel 1 – Niel’s Living Room

Niel (with eye patch):
The doctor says no screens—detached retina. Healing mode activated.

Niel (pauses):
This might be the first quiet day Nextdoor leadership has had in months…

Panel 2 – Nextdoor HQ War Room

Big screen reads:
“0 Incoming Emails from Niel”

Intern (whispering):
Sir… It’s been six hours. No LinkedIn posts. No blog alerts.

Bobo the Clown (confetti cannon):
🎉 WE DID IT! 🎉

Panel 3 – C-Suite Table

Nirav Tolia (leaning back, smiling):
See? Organic growth in peace.

Sarah Leary:
Stock is still down, though.

Craig Lisowski:
Shh. Let’s enjoy the silence.

Panel 4 – The Mime

Mime dramatically acts out “listening for criticism”… hears nothing… wipes brow in relief.

Panel 5 – Back to Niel

Niel (lifting eye patch slightly):
I can’t see well… but I can still think clearly.

Niel:
Temporary vision impairment. Permanent memory.

Panel 6 – Nextdoor HQ Alarm

PING.

“Scheduled Post: February 18 – Question to Leadership”

Intern (panicking):
Sir… he pre-scheduled content.

Bobo the Clown:
HONK OF DOOM.

Nirav (staring at the screen):
He’s healing… and strategizing.

Final Frame

Niel (smirking):
You may enjoy the silence…

But clarity is coming.