Date:         Tue, 7 Oct 1997 22:38:26 GMT
From: Thomas Michaels <jester7@AIRMAIL.NET>
Subject:      Re: INT: Writers Party - The Arrival

        "For the record, Jester, I think you're being a fool," the imp
on my shoulder says, crimson eyes flaring with amusement.  "What in
the world are you going to do on an island inhabited by...damnation's
balls...*writers?*"

        I grin.

        "It'll be a blast, Darquestar.  We'll have fun."

        Darquestar snorts.

        "Obviously, you haven't been around writers very long.  All
you're going to do is listen to them babble on and on about how much
they love writing, how addicted to writing they are, how truly
wonderful their writing is, and then, just when you think you can't
take any more, they'll start talking about 'Oh, did I mention I'm a
writer?'"

        "Darq, it's not going to be as bad as all that.  Besides, I
hear there's an actual haunted house on the island."

        The imp yawns.

        "Right---an 'actual' haunted house.  Seems to me the last
'actual' haunted house you visited was actually infested with rats.
Large rats, I believe.  Large, rabid rats, if memory serves
correctly."

        I nod, shuddering with the memory.

        "Yeah, you're right about that," I admit.

        "So, I think you should just forget all about going to some
stupid island with some stupid haunted house and some stupid writers
going around all full of themselves."

        I continue packing my suitcase, and mention, nonchalently,

        "I did mention, didn't I, that there'll probably be a nymph or
two there, right?"

        Darquestar yawns.

        "Sorry.  Not interested."

        "Well, I'm not going to force you.  If you want to stay home,
that's fine.  I'll be bringing most of my books, though, but I'll
leave you a copy of Rush Limbaugh's THE WAY THINGS OUGHT TO BE---just
so you have something to read."

        Darq stares at me, anger in his eyes.

        "Fine.  I'll come along with you.  But, I'm warning you right
now---I'm not going to enjoy myself.  Still, even a couple of eons in
Hell would be better than reading that Limbaugh crap."

        And so, our adventure begins...

*****

"Anyone who takes me seriously has obviously never seen me naked."
-----Thomas Michaels

e-mail:  jester7@airmail.net