Reading: Starcombing by David Langford
Music: The Bordercollies
TV/Movie: The Road To Hong Kong
Link o' the Day: history and summary of the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby road movies



And here we are with this Friday's mailbag. Item number one comes in a manilla envelope. The return address is nothing but a rusty-brown smear and the letter inside smells of spices I cannot name and of scents I cannot remember.

The letter itself reads:

Greetings New Member!
We welcome you as our organization's newest member. In a separate nailing [sic], you will receive the following:

• laminated ID badge with photo


• bell


• book


• candle


• ceremonial needle


• ceremonial dagger


• a human heart


• a salamander's tail


• a salamander's tale


• 12 virgin sheets of Egyptian papyrus


• detailed instructions

Make sure to also return the confirmation postcard included with your welcome package, and we look forward to seeing you at the next gathering atop the hill, within the circle, under the elm, on the 2nd full moon of the month.

Oh, and best of luck. You'll likely need it.

(signed)
The Cabal

Okay. I'll keep my eye open for that "separate nailing" but I doubt I'll actually open the box. (If indeed it does arrive in a box.)

Also in today's mail was the familiar-looking rag paper note with crimson ink. This week's message reads thusly:

To Whom It May Concern:
It's not as if we've been following you, but we do note with some concern your lack of signal and the frequency with which you fraternize with the Enemy. We understand the purposes of reconnaisance. And we understand you may be studying their weaknesses.

But we remain concerned nonetheless. We expect to see your signal soon.

Quite soon.

(signed)
Unsigned

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-



Today's link takes you to a page at the BBC with a short history and summary of the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby road movies (The Road To Singapore, The Road to Zanzibar, The Road to Bali, and so on). I need to see if there's a book on this topic. Anyway, check out the short summaries and then go look for the movies themselves.

Cheers!