From: braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca  (The Didi-Sprite)
Subject: 'Tis the Season to Hibernate?
Originator: braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca
Organization: SOCS - Mcgill University, Montreal, Canada
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 04:59:09 GMT


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Now that universities are back in full session, Mike Callahan is being 
kept quite busy with all the folk who are dropping by these days and 
nights.  He hardly has time to notice subtle changes that are taking
place.

It is true that he shivered when Patch arrived and allowed that blast
of Alaskan air and swirl of snow to breeze past her.  And, there has
been much talk of the changing of the seasons.  Trying to determine 
whether it is Autumn or Spring, after DM and Wolf's descriptions, has 
left him a trifle bothered.  But not enough to cause him worry when
he notices the Didi-Sprite slip out through the French Doors.

"More Earl Grey, DM?"  he queries, whilest handing out a couple of cokes
to another patron.  It's 'business as usual'.

Kitten is hugging all and sundry who look as though they could use some
warmth.  Caithelin is exchanging recipes with Liralen in the Hot Tub.
Arch Teryx is busy digesting his Hatchday Anniversary Feast.  Nathan is 
listening ineterestedly to a discussion of renaissance costuming.  
The Tinman and Lord Galdrin are engaged in a game of Chess whilst Albert 
looks on, barely able to stifle the urge to kibitz.  Emter shushes 
neighboring patrons as she watches over Bear who is snoozing with his 
head down on the table, totally warn out from a week of Midterms.  In 
other words, this is a day ... like most other days in The Place.  Until ...

Until the French Doors blow open ushering in the -Sprite, a blast of
arctic air, and the fattest, charmingest, whitest snowman any of the
patrons have ever seen!

"Ho-ho-ho!"  he chuckles as he doffs his shiny black top hat!

The reaction from the floor is one of astonishment and awe.

"I hear there is a large furry fellow here who is having a 19th
Birthday!"

The Didi-Sprite nods and giggles:  "Yes!  That would be our tall,
dark and cuddlesome Bearkins!   Bear?   Yoo-hoo, Bear!  Where are you?"

Emter has stopped doing her Bear-sitting act and is now shaking Bear
awake.

"The young Missy here has asked me to deliver this, Mr. Bear!"  and,
with that, from out of his hat, Mr. Snowman produces:





                                    \ ^ /
                                    -(,)-
                                    /|\ \
                             ********| |*********
                   **********        | |         **********
               ****                  | |                   ****
             **                      | |                       **
            *                        | |                         *
           *                         | |                          *
           *                         | |                          *
           .*                        | |                         *.
           H **                                                ** Y
           H   ****                                        ****  Y.
           H      H**********                    **********Y     Y.
           HH     H       AA ********************PPPPP      Y   Y .
           H HH   H      A  A       PPPPP        P    P      Y Y  .
           H   HHHH     A    A      P    P       P    P       YY  .
           .      H    AAA    A     P    P       PPPPP         Y  .
           .      H    A  AAAAAA    PPPPP        P             Y  .
           B           A       A    P            P                .
           BB                  A    P            P                .
           B BB                     P                             Y
           B   B                                                 Y.
           B BBB  II                                       Y     Y.
           B  B     III  RRR     TTTTT H    H DDDDD     A   Y   Y .
           B   B    I    R  RRR    T   H    H D    D   A A   Y Y  .
            B  B    I    R     R   T   H    H D    D  A   A   YY .
             BB     I    RRR   R   T   HHHHHH D    D A  AAAA   Y.
               ...  I    R  RRR    T   H    H D   D  AAA   A ..Y
                  III    R   R     T   H    H D  D   A  ...A.
                    III..R    R    T   H    H DDD ...A..
                         ......R..................

(Thanks Nick Chopper!)

"Be sure to blow out the candle!  And, now I must go.  It is a bit
early for snowmen to be up and about ... and a bit too early for
bears to hibernate!"  chuckle.

And, without further ado, the snowman melts and is nothing more than
a puddle on the floor with an old silk hat sitting beside it.  Then ...
nothing.  Magic never lasts forever you know!

Suddenly, Bear finds his arms full of -Sprite hugging him and singing
her favorite song:

       Happy Birthday to You!

		  Happy Birthday to You!

			    Happy Birthday Darling Bearkins!

				                 Happy Birthday to You!


After that The Place erupts into a general hubbub of greetings and
best wishes whilst Bear's face glows with delight.

(Hmmm ... what an interesting sight!  :->

We love you, Bear!


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The Didi-Sprite
Montreal * Canada

braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca
Newsgroups: alt.callahans