Part 29 (2/2)

If there's ever anything I can do for you guys, you let me know.

Jim Mortimore, September 1996 ***

Acknowledgements:

Taking Over The Asylum This year has been, well, mixed. My dad died, one of my best mates might have to be deported, the woman I love was burgled and - well that's enough of that. On the plus side, my garden no longer looks like Ray Bradbury could rent out dinosaur hunts in it, I have sold a couple of bits of music (no you won't like them but check for FEEL on Planet Dog and Phantasm collections) and I got to admire a recorder (you remember that wooden thing you played in the school orchestra when you were six) which stands seven feet high and is as many inches thick. Outstandingly bodacious.

People to whom a mountainous pile of thanks are due: Paul Hinder: To his friends and colleagues he is the Fourth Emergency Service.

Trees: For President Springsteen, Life With The Giblies, and ... well, everything, really.

Lalitha: For stories and music.

Andy: For stress management above and beyond the call of duty.

Stuart: For the sheep story I couldn't use.

Timbo & Kurt: For Simpson Family Therapy, Fear of Flying and b.u.t.tzilla.

Congratulations to Joanne and Gareth on your engagement. Nice one, guys.

You may have noticed that there is no Doctor Who logo on the cover of this book. That's not why the Doctor hardly appears in the text though. It's more to do with the way a plot which seems as tight as a gerbil's ... grasp on its food ... can seem, when written as prose, to be as loose as a gerbil's ...

grasp of molecular biology. So if you feel inclined, blame Virgin for the lack of a logo, and me for the lack of a Doctor.

A Serious Message I need your help. As you know I have worked in the band mammal. This band kicks a.s.s. It is the creation of Nakula Somala. Nakula has also been responsible for several of the characters and situations which have appeared in novels I have written. There are now a number of other musical and writing projects on the go which will never see the light of day unless YOU write a short note to me care of. 27 Colston Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6AA, or via Paul Hinder's internet address: (). The-note should be a variation of the type: 'Dear Sir/Madam. I am writing in support of Nakula Somala's application to remain resident in this country. I have read Jim Mortimore's work and understand that Nakula has in part been responsible for scenes I have enjoyed. I support Jim and Nakula's desire to work more fully together in the future and therefore support Nakula's application to remain resident in this country.' This is not a gag. This is serious. Please help. Every letter counts. Write now.

To demonstrate my thanks, I will send anyone who helps out with a letter for Nakula a copy of the original plot synopsis for this book (and it's wildly different, believe me) or a tape of our latest musical collaboration (including those tracks mentioned above). You choose. It won't even cost you an SAE.

And so I leave you with the wisdom of Burt the Turtle. He knows what to do in the case of a nuclear explosion: Duck and Cover!

Enjoy the picnic.

Outtahere - Jimbo

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