Date: Mon, 2 Sep 1996 22:26:05 -0700
From: Elizabeth Lawrence <luckyliz@CRL.COM>
Subject: It's Dead, Jim -- er -- Nick

I think I've been convinced to send this in.  Of course, since
you're reading this, it's a little late to change my mind, isn't
it?

Thank to Cynthia, Amy Reed, Bonnie, Dawn, Kira and Lizbet

Disclaimer:  Nick and Nat aren't mine.  I think we all know that.
The item in question, though, is, well, was real.  I didn't get
its permission before using it.  It is, after all, dead.

Comments, questions, coupons for a lobotomy can be sent to
luckyliz@crl.com.


                It's Dead, Jim -- er -- Nick
                  by Elizabeth Lawrence


Nick looked at Nat with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Nat, there was nothing I could do.  I killed it."

"It's all right, Nick."

"No, it's not.  I know how much it meant to you."

"No, really, it didn't...."

"We'll have a funeral, of course.  We can take it out to the park
after sunset and bury it under a tree."

"Isn't that going a little overboa --"

"And I'll find a way to make it up to you.  Maybe one made out of
ivory or gold."

"Please, don't...."

"I once had one myself, you know.  I loved it.  It was the real
reason I went back to Germany.  Well, that and the Abarat.

"Nick!  It was a dollar ninety-eight scrunchie.  Get over it!"

THE END