[LMB] Birthday

[Jim Parish]

[The stout fellow in academic robes slips furtively onto the stage. He is 
carrying a pair of field glasses, and peers at the audience through them 
from time to time. After about five minutes of this, he sighs and lowers 
them.]

My friends of the list, today is the birthday of listie Janet Croft. Alas, 
Janet has not been heard from in a year and a half; we may hope that 
she has slipped into lurkerdom.

Janet, are you out there?

[No immediate response.]

Ah, well. Like several other listies, Janet is a librarian; like Tom Vinson, 
she is an Oklahoman.

[One of the winged humanoids darts onto the stage, buzzing excitedly. 
The stout fellow turns towards it.]

Yes, yes, you were right about the elephant.

:buzz:

No, you can't.

[With a dispirited buzz, it zips back offstage.]

Janet, wherever you are, may your mornings be bright and golden; may 
the seeds you plant in receptive minds grow as high as... well, as high 
as needed; and may this your birthday, and all your days, be joyful.

Listies assembled, I give you Janet Croft!